Far-right’s rude awakening: Police dawn raid ‘seriously violent’ thugs from riots as Met chief hails ‘show of unity from communities’ that foiled threat chaos erupting on the streets amid fears of 100 marches unleashing chaos

Police have launched dawn raids targeting ‘seriously violent’ thugs who took part in riots as the crackdown on the far-right begins following last night’s foiled chaos.

Sir Mark Rowley, the chief of the Metropolitan Police, said his force had smashed its way into the homes of the ‘most violent’ members of last weeks protests in Whitehall and branded them ‘criminal thugs’.

The head of Britain’s largest police force said it was ‘nonsense’ these people are patriots and hailed a ‘show of unity from communities’ which saw thousands of anti-racism demonstrators flood streets around the country to stop planned gatherings of the far-right.

It was reported around 100 hate-filled protests had been planned across England outside immigration centres, organised on secretive far-right channels on social media app Telegram.

However, come 8pm many of those did not even turn up and those that did  were dwarfed in size by counter-demonstrations, with up to 25,000 anti-racist activists turning out in force in cities across the UK – and by drizzly weather that hit southern parts of England on Wednesday night.

This morning Sir Mark Rowley revealed that the fightback has already begun, with dawn raids being carried out in the capital to deal with those suspected of taking part in the riots.

He told BBC Breakfast: ‘These are criminals, they’re thugs, they’re no patriots. 

‘We’ve been out doing some dawn raids this morning, the people who were most violent in the Whitehall protest and violence last week. 

‘Yesterday and today it’s going to be more than 20 people, about 70 per cent of them have got criminal backgrounds – we’ve got criminal damage, violence, weapons offences, football banning orders – these are criminal thugs. 

‘Any suggestion they’re patriots or they’ve got a cause that they’re protesting about is nonsense.

Police have also vowed to go after those sharing hate and inciting unrest online as:

Counter-protesters turned out in their thousands in several UK cities – outnumbering ‘anti-immigration’ protesters when they bothered to turn up – in order to send the clear message that Britain does not welcome hate. 

Undeterred, red-faced would-be protesters have taken to social media to row back on their claims – and now claim there was never a plan to target refugee centres in order to waste police time.

But the Telegram group responsible for sharing an alleged hit list of refugee centres for thugs to target was taken down by the typically immovable team behind the encrypted messaging app – who said it breached their rules on inciting violence.

The demos came as scores of arrests and dozens of convictions were sealed in rapid time, following more than a week of unrest after three young girls were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29. 

Several rallies of hundreds-strong anti-racist activists assembled across London.

More than 5,000 demonstrators gathered in Walthamstow to see off far-right rioters – but were told to disperse by police who told them: ‘There’s no one else here, it’s just you guys’.

Local restaurant owner Mohammed Lall closed up early, telling a reporter: ‘Us being a Muslim business – that is a risk for us.’

Hundreds gathered in North Finchley after an office in the area was reportedly targeted by far-right thugs – some of whom remonstrated with police. 

One protester could be heard on video yelling at an anti-racist activist: ‘No-one wants you here, you c***.’ He was later led away by police officers.

In Brentford, anti-racist campaigners were preparing to leave shortly after 8.30pm.

A reporter said a small group of around 20 people in black masks and hoods were spotted around 200 metres from the hundred-strong counter-demo.

Ten people were arrested in Croydon in an incident the Met said was unrelated to the protest actions across the country.

Four people were also arrested in Walthamstow: two for carrying weapons, namely a lock knife and a golf club,  one for being drunk and disorderly and one for obstructing a stop and search under Section 60 powers. 

One person was also arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in Hounslow, where locals had gathered to protect a mosque.

Bottles were thrown at police and objects dragged into the road after around 50 people gathered in the south London borough – but officers said it was ‘pure anti-social behaviour’ not linked to the protests.

Smaller groups of anti-racism protesters were gathered in backstreets in Sheffield, away from the main counter-demo.

One woman, whose face was obscured, said: ‘We’ve done a good job of scaring them away.’

In Accrington, pubgoers were seen embracing a group of Muslims walking past shortly before dusk fell. But the tension soon mounted as protesters holding ‘Stand Up To Racism’ placards faced off with a group chanting ‘stop the boats’.

Dozens of police rushed in to stop them getting close as they marched towards each other.

And around 200 counter-protesters gathered outside an immigration lawyer’s office in Oldham as far-right agitators failed to turn up.

Four police riot vans guarded the area on the outskirts of the Greater Manchester town ahead of the proposed 8pm far-right protests. 

Taxi driver Ali Shah, 43, said: ‘It doesn’t look like the far right are going to show. Maybe they’ve been put off by how many people are here.’

In Southampton, hundreds of anti-racist campaigners were separated from around 50 anti-immigration protesters by police. 

One protester with an England flag tied around his shoulders tried to run at the counter-group from a side road – before being restrained by police, witnesses said. 

Speaking afterwards, Glyn Oliver, 70, said he was greatly encouraged by the turn out, adding: ‘I’m seeing people I don’t know and loads of youngsters. It’s their future and they’re saying no to racism, it’s great to pass the baton.’ 

Steve Squibbs, of Stand Up to Racism, said of the far-right gathering: ‘Look at their turnout – it’s pathetic. We are the anti-racist majority.’

Anti-immigration protesters blocked off a dual carriageway into Portsmouth in scenes akin to a Just Stop Oil protest.

Protestors were heard shouting ‘no more immigrants’, ‘save our kids’ and racist slurs while riot squad police officers were deployed to the scene to remove a group from the middle of the road.

One of those arrested, seemingly for blocking the road, was a 17-year-old boy, friends told a reporter at the scene.

Outside the Asylum Link centre on Overbury Street in Liverpool, supporters of the charity filled the road following reports a protest was due to be held outside.

A police van blocked off the road as hundreds turned out to protect the building, which had boards over the windows.

Signs placed on the fence around the building said ‘Love not hate’ and ‘One human family’. 

Dozens of protesters holding ‘Stand Up To Racism’ posters gathered outside Aldershot Enterprise Centre in Hampshire – as a smaller group, some of whom were masked, shouted back angrily at them.

Police officers rushed in to separate the groups after tempers flared, as one side’s chants of ‘refugees are welcome here’ were met with counter-calls of ‘stop the boats’.

The anti-racism campaigners were then escorted to the train station by police as anti-immigration protesters shouted at them. There were no clashes between the groups, reports suggest.

Shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter were boarded up amid fears of a repeat of the violent scenes seen on Saturday – while in Newcastle police deployed from Wales were seen letting a child try on a riot helmet as they sought to keep tensions at bay.

Three arrests were later made in Newcastle – though Northumbria Police said the evening had ‘largely passed without incident’. 

In Middlesbrough, locals expected the worst after violence on Sunday.

Shop owner Aran, sitting with his friends drinking tea outside a Turkish barbers, said: ‘The community has come out tonight to protect our properties and our families, although we hope that won’t be necessary.’

Hundreds of people gathered in central Brighton with loud drums and music playing, and signs proclaiming ‘No to Racism’ and ‘Education is key – misinformation kills’. 

A wall of police was seen shielding just a handful of men – one of whom was draped in a Union Jack – from a crowd of protesters shouting: ‘Nazi scum, off our streets.’ No arrests were made.

And in Birmingham, hundreds of anti-racist activists assembled outside an immigration advice centre in the Jewellery Quarter, with banners calling out far-right figures that read ‘Bigots out of Brum’. No arrests were made here.

As a nearby clocktower sounded the hour at 8pm, there was no sign of any far-right protest.

West Midlands Police later arrested a 49-year-old man following social media rumours about protests in Bordesley Green in Birmingham on Monday night that saw hundreds of Muslims turn out to see off a rumoured far-right rally.

The man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and possession of a firearm and remains in custody. His detention came after posts on social media allegedly showing images of a firearm.

Meanwhile in Bristol, the streets were filled with a reported 2,000 anti-racism protesters who were ready for a showdown with protesters planning on targeting an immigration centre.

Gya Williams Immigration prepared for the threat of violence by removing all of its office signage.

One local man who didn’t want to be named said: ‘Look at the numbers man, the (far-right) brigade would be mad to go down there.’

A local restaurateur who gave his name as Farooq added: ‘To see this turnout of at least 2,000 people – it is heartwarming. It is uplifting It makes you so proud to be Bristolian.’

Police did, however, make one arrest after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle. Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘We’ve facilitated a largely peaceful protest but we won’t tolerate acts of criminality.’

In Northampton, police arrested three people for public order offences. Around 150 counter-protesters turned out to see off anti-immigration activists – none of whom turned up.

The no-showing hate mob prompted Northamptonshire Police to take to social media to ask the counter-rally to go home.

‘Police are now asking the crowd of counter-protesters to disperse peacefully for the evening.’

And a man was arrested near to the site of a planned protest in Blackpool, a crowd of passers-by jeering him as he was led to a van.

Police had expected the worst tonight with thousands of cops deployed in the biggest distribution of officers since the 2011 riots. 

Gatherings were anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales. A police source said earlier: ‘Today is probably going to be the busiest day of the week, into the evening.’ 

The chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council had warned rioters ahead of the ‘protests that never were’ they were taking a ‘hard line’ on yobs with more than 400 already arrested.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said some are ‘facing years behind bars’ and that even those with no prior convictions ‘will be remanded into custody’ after arrest.

He warned: ‘You won’t be going home to see your family and friends. If you carry out this thuggish behaviour, then you need to know the personal consequences that come with it and that will directly affect you.’

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson has said one case of alleged terrorism is ‘actively under consideration’ following the mayhem of recent days while the King is reported to have asked aides for frequent updates.

And the government is said to be looking at looking at ways of banning far-right rioters from football matches amid claims that those causing chaos on the streets have links to organised football hooligan groups.  

The chaos which has engulfed Britain’s streets since the Southport stabbings last week has brought parts of the country to a halt, with medical appointments cancelled as staff are too scared to go to work.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine has urged parents to ‘think carefully about where their children are today’ after children as young as 11 were caught up in riots across the country.

Meanwhile an office worker in the City of London said he and his colleagues have been told to leave their office near Liverpool Street due to ‘planned riots’ in the area. He said that employees have been advised to work from home for the remainder of the week and not to attend the London office.

Broadcaster Sky and supermarket chain Tesco are also on high alert for potential riots, according to journalist Oliver Whitfield-Miocic. 

Sky has extra security at its West London Campus and have told staff to leave work early and avoid nearby stations. Meanwhile, Tesco is said to be ‘monitoring’ the situation. 

One immigration law firm named on the hit-list was found to have boarded itself up this morning, with other businesses including pubs and hairdressers following suit as fearful communities brace themselves for a fresh wave of violence and turn to the police to protect them.

However, some areas of the country remain open for business as police say rumours they were set to be targeted by rioters were ‘misinformation’.

Lewisham police said earlier today ‘shops and businesses…remain open as usual and that there was spreading of misinformation online’, while Hackney council said it had ‘no intelligence’ to suggest disruption in Stoke Newington despite rumours to the contrary.

It comes as the authorities warn those taking part they could face terrorism charges in relation to the thuggery which has been cheered on by some online personalities, while more than 100 people already face court dates over the riots.

Merseyside Police has tonight issued images of 14 people as it investigates disorder in Southport on the day after the stabbings and in Liverpool and Walton last Saturday, which saw a library torched by thugs.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson has said one case of alleged terrorism is ‘actively under consideration’ following widespread disorder across the country.

He said: ‘No one’s been charged with a terrorism offence yet. I’m aware of one case which is actively under consideration.’

Mr Parkinson has warned people not to share malicious or racist communications online – even sharing or retweeting those made by others – as doing so may be construed as a criminal offence.

And he has suggested the publication of a list of immigration firms in far-right groups on Telegram may be considered a terrorism offence.

Mr Parkinson added: ‘The fact that it’s organised groups that might be motivated by ideological reasons, the fact that they’re promoting potentially very serious offences – that’s the sort of instance where we might want to consider terrorism charges.’

Convictions are stacking up for those who were involved in some of the earlier riots, which were first sparked by misinformation spread on social media on the identity of the suspect in the Southport killings a week ago.

Cole Stewart, 18, was caught on CCTV ‘celebrating’ as he hurled bricks at officers in Darlington on Monday August 5 – and has been remanded in custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

As he was arrested the teenager yelled: ‘I am a child! I am a child!’ 

Derek Drummond, 58, was jailed for three years at Liverpool Crown Court for his part in violence in Southport last week, while Declan Geiran and Liam James Riley were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months in prison respectively after also admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.

Commenting on the sentences for the trio, senior district crown prosecutor Jonathan Egan said: ‘The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg, and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.’

Elsewhere today, Julie Sweeney, 53, was remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of sending a threatening message suggesting blowing up ‘a mosque with adults inside’.

Aaron Johnson admitted using racist language on a live stream he broadcast to ‘millions of people’ from outside a hotel in Stockport thought to contain asylum seekers at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Johnson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 21.

Nick Price, Director of Legal Services at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘People thinking of disseminating or amplifying information online which is racially inflammatory should think again – online actions have real consequences.

‘There is no place for trying to stir up racial hatred and violence online at any time, let alone during this disorder. We are working closely with local law enforcement agencies to identify offenders to be charged and prosecuted.

‘The CPS will continue to act swiftly and robustly and ensure those responsible for such criminality are brought to justice.’

Four other men are also accused of violent disorder following rioting in the Piccadilly Gardens area of the city centre on Saturday August 4. 

Liam Ryan, 28, cried in court as he pleaded guilty to the charge after he had travelled from West Yorkshire to take part in the violence.

Shaun Holt, 42, was not required to enter a plea to the same charge following the Piccadilly Gardens disorder.

Prosecutors said David Green, 41, of Stalybridge, was identified in footage ‘kicking a black male while he was on the floor’, while Andrew Phillips, 27, of Stretford, allegedly stamped on him. 

Neither gave any indication of plea as they appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today and they were remanded in custody. 

In Plymouth, five people have appeared in court charged with violent disorder following a protest in the port city on Monday night which saw police officers injured and two members of the public taken to hospital.

A 17-year-old boy admitted throwing a traffic cone and a rock towards a large group of protesters, Daniel McGuire, 45, pleaded guilty after ‘spitting on officers and shields’ despite being told to stop, and Michael Williams, 51, was seen kicking another man during the disorder. 

Businesses which are fearful of being caught in the firing line of the far-Right violence have taken preemptive action, with some deciding to close rather than risking becoming collateral damage.

In Westcliff-on-Sea, in Southend, one immigration firm which provides assistance in immigration cases, boarded up its doors and windows in the face of a potential protest outside tonight.

In Walthamstow the Nags Head pub announced it would be closed today due to the potential for unrest after the area was named on the online hit-list as a target.

Hair salons and cafes in Barnsley and Brompton also joined the growing number of businesses refusing to open today. Sheffield United Football Club also announced that the area around its ground would be shut.

In Sunderland, Italian restaurant Sambuca said: ‘Although we have faith in Northumbria Police we cannot take the risk to be caught up in violent riots like the ones that happened a few days ago.’ 

In Bristol, which is on the list of potential targets, one lawyer said he had not been this fearful since the heyday of the BNP.

The threat of violence has also hit sporting fixtures, with a women’s county cricket match between Essex and Kent in Chelmsford tonight being postponed in light of the planned protests.

In Bath today, Avon and Somerset Police put out an urgent warning to shops and pubs over intelligence about a planned violent riot at 4pm from a group travelling from Manchester by train.

One venue owner said: ‘We are all bracing ourselves. It’s pretty frightening considering what has been happening in different parts of the country recently.’

The carnage that has raged over the last week has hit medical appointments in some areas, with GPs cancelling evening services in the north east because staff were ‘frightened to go to work’.

Paul Williams, a general practitioner based in Stockton, told the BBC that some medical workers do not feel safe in the wake of the riots.

He said: ‘I’ve checked on a few friends over the past few days and they’ve told me there are parts of the town that they do not feel safe working in at the moment.

‘It is totally devastating that some are frightened to go into work because of the fear of intimidation.’

Some medical clinics in Middlesbrough and Hartlepool were also cancelled earlier this week in the face of riots that saw police attacked and cars set on fire, although services have since returned to normal.

In Sunderland two Filipino nurses who were on their way to provide emergency cover at a hospital were targeted by far-Right thugs who threw rocks at their taxi. 

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) said yesterday that there had been ‘horrific and unacceptable’ abuse and violence towards health workers, ‘especially those from ethnic minorities’.

Its chairwoman Professor Kamila Hawthorne said: ‘We have been shocked and appalled by the civil unrest, criminality and racist attacks we have seen across the UK in recent days.

‘We’re particularly concerned to hear reports of GPs, members of their teams and other healthcare professionals, especially those from ethnic minorities, being targeted with abuse and violence. This is horrific and completely unacceptable.

‘Healthcare professionals dedicate their lives to caring for people in need. They deserve to be able to do their jobs without fear of being attacked or abused and both staff and patients deserve to be able to travel to and from surgeries safely.’

One Bristol-based lawyer claimed this morning that he hadn’t been so concerned for his own safety in years. 

Aziz Deen told BBC Breakfast: ‘I’ve been advised to work from home because my office is right where the protests begin, I feel threatened and I haven’t felt fear like this since the BNP were in full force.

‘Solicitors, especially those focusing on asylum and immigration should not be targeted in anyway. Policy is not in their hands, policy is in the hands of politicians. 

‘To go after the people who represent asylum seekers and lawful migrants who come here on work sponsorship and the like, to attack them and make them feel threatened is disgraceful.’

Last night police in the city met with the Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG) to reassure the community that there will be no threat to mosques and their livelihoods by rioters.

 

Adeela Shafi, of BMSLG, said: ‘People are feeling scared, intimidated, worried and are not sure where this is going.’

She added: ‘It’s the worst it’s been for a long time, because of course we’ve now got social media you’re having messages flying around left right and centre.

‘[There’s] a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, fretfulness about ‘what should I do – should I close my business, should I keep my kids at home?’

‘Trying to reassure these communities that the police and the authorities are doing their best to keep us safe and for people to be able to go about their usual business. 

‘At the end of the day we live in a democracy and people should be able to protest, however the disorder we’ve seen is the frightful thing.’

The threat of violence has seen some charities close their doors in a bid to keep people safe. 

In the north east of England one refugee charity, which has not been named, said its volunteers had been racially abused in public, while another said people who used its service were ‘terrified’, the BBC reported.

It comes as the wave of anti-immigrant sentiment continues to swirl around on certain online sites, with one group chat on Telegram listing potential targets for today.

Towns and cities across England – from Aldershot to Wigan – were named as places for demonstrations, with organisers saying ‘they won’t stop coming until you tell them…’.

One message – posted to the group’s 15,000 members – said: ‘The n*****s will try to abuse the unrest to steal. It’s in their blood to do so.’

Another called for the death of Nick Lowles, the founder of anti-extremism charity Hope Not Hate. The horrific call-out said: ‘If anyone wants to go down in a blaze of glory, take this man with you. 

‘Death to Nick Lowles. Any man who takes his life will be a hero to the cause.’ One extremely disturbing reply read: ‘How can I do it, I’m game.’

Mr Lowles has responded to the threats, calling the man involved ‘serious and dangerous’.

And a further post told would-be rioters to wear masks, hoodies and leave their phones at home, underneath a photo of a young man in a balaclava and the tagline: ‘White n radical.’

The channel was set up within hours of the stabbing last week and soon amassed a huge following – but appeared to have been removed on Monday as its membership hit 15,000.

WIRED reports that the creator of the channel has attempted to make others since, but they have also been expunged.

Telegram told the magazine it was ‘actively monitoring the situation and are removing channels and posts containing calls to violence.’

The Home Office said it could not comment on whether it had asked for the channel to be removed, calling discussions around the subject an ‘operational issue’.

 An assistant chief constable has urged people to ignore a list of locations, which has been shared on social media as possible targets for gatherings, saying police will be waiting.

Andy Mariner, of Essex Police, said there is ‘disinformation on social media’ talking about activity in the county on Wednesday, adding: ‘Our message is clear – ignore it.’

‘If you’re planning on coming here intent on disorder, we will be waiting for you, and you will be arrested,’ he said.

‘There is information going around on the internet highlighting specific locations around the country and some of those details of locations are just plain false, including here in Essex.’

Nearly 6,000 public order officers have now been mobilised to respond to riots over this week, police sources have told the BBC.

They have said that the situation is ‘manageable’ – adding that they hope Britain is now ‘through the worst’ of the chaos, although they are ready if it escalates again.

Violent riots have already exploded across several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the Southport knife rampage which claimed the lives of three young girls and left many others injured.

False speculation online that the teenage suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat has fuelled the unrest which started outside a mosque in Southport and has since spread across the UK.

The misinformation is believed to have originated from a Russian-linked fake news website.

Misleading posts have since been shared by the likes Andrew Tate, awaiting trial for rape in Romania, and gatherings have been promoted by far-right influencers.

Thugs have then taken to the streets under the guise of ‘anti-immigration’ protesters seeking to ‘protect’ children – by smashing up cars and attacking mosques.

However, X, formerly Twitter, is reported to have resisted calls to take down posts that could be seen as inciting violence, according to the Financial Times. 

Musk took a scythe to its moderation and safety teams after buying the site, which has plummeted in value since its acquisition by the billionaire.

Right-wing groups have organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull and Middlesbrough to Plymouth – with many filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric. 

Riots have seen hotels housing migrants set on fire and police attacked with bricks or bottles. 

More than 400 people have now been arrested and Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has said the thugs could face terrorism charges as the legal system mobilises to bring offenders to justice.

The CPS chief hit out at those who had used the internet for the ‘purposes of incitement and planning’, telling the BBC: ‘If you’re engaged in that activity, then you can be prosecuted for the substantive offence that you have caused (due) to what you’ve been doing using the internet.’

And in a warning to those acting outside the UK, Mr Parkinson said: ‘Some people are abroad. That doesn’t mean they’re safe.

‘We have liaison prosecutors spread around the globe who’ve got local links with the local judiciary and law enforcement, but also the police are also stationed abroad.’

In measures reminiscent of the 2011 London riots, magistrates courts are operating round the clock to process rioters and releasing mugshots of some suspects after they have been charged in an effort to name and shame them.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – who was himself Director of Public Prosecutions between 2008 and 2013 – said the criminal justice system has shown a ‘robust and swift response’ in the face of ongoing unrest.

A supposed ‘target list’ of 39 areas where further riots are planned for Wednesday was yesterday leaked on social media. A police source told The Mirror it was treating the list as a ‘credible threat’. 

‘It’s being watched closely and we are ready to respond,’ they said. ‘We have got thousands of extra officers and where there’s credible, specific intelligence, officers will be put in place and will be ready to respond immediately.’

They added: ‘Wednesday is going to be a busy day. We are assessing what is credible and what isn’t but we have a lot more resources stood-up now than we did at the weekend.

‘Some is planned but also a lot is sporadic in terms of local people seeing stuff online and turning up out of the blue. It’s quite a nuanced picture.’

A message on encrypted platform Telegram shows that 39 towns and cities could be braced for more violence. 

Five of the organisations on the list told the Financial Times they were planning to shut tomorrow and urged employees to work from home. 

The list includes locations such as Aldershot, Canterbury, Bedford, Birmingham and Derby. 

The list, which was reposted on social media, came with a threatening caption above it which reads: ‘THEY WON’T STOP COMING UNTIL YOU TELL THEM…

‘NO MORE IMMIGRATION. 8PM. MASK UP.’

It added: ‘SPREAD THIS AS FAR AND WIDE AS YOU CAN.’ 

Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said anyone wearing a mask to a riot would be prosecuted.

‘It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re protesting — if you turn up in a mask, with a weapon, intent on causing disorder, you will face the full force of the law,’ she wrote on X.

 

Counter-terror officers and detectives from regional crime units are also involved in targeting far-Right ringleaders of the chaos and violence which has swept Britain.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to take ‘all necessary action’ to end the far-Right riots. 

The Prime Minister told Cabinet today that ‘people across the country want their streets to be safe and to feel safe in their communities, and we will take all necessary action to bring the disorder to an end’. 

Among the stories of Brits being targeted by far-Right thugs was the owner of a Middle Eastern supermarket in Belfast, whose shop was ‘singled out’ by young yobs, as a boy and the shop behind him was pelted with eggs. 

It allegedly came after the youths tried to steal from the store but were challenged by staff, as the Police Service of Northern Ireland are investigating it as a hate crime.

It came after another supermarket, owned by a Syrian man, was torched after rioters targeted it twice.