Keir Starmer tells police to stay on ‘high alert’ this weekend amid fears of fresh riots – as PM admits potential unrest caused by start of the football season is ‘added into the mix’ of cops’ planning

Sir Keir Starmer today told police to stay on ‘high alert’ this weekend amid fears of a fresh outbreak of rioting.

The Prime Minister met with Metropolitan Police bosses this morning for a briefing on the force’s response to the widespread chaos over the past 11 days.

He said he was ‘absolutely convinced’ the deployment of 6,000 officers and ‘swift justice’ seen through courts already jailing thugs had helped quell the disorder.

But the premier admitted the start of the football season this weekend would be ‘added into the mix’ when asked about concerns of further violence.

Clubs in the English Football League will start their new campaigns this weekend and supporters have been warned against ‘violent, thuggish behaviour’.

Police are poised to step up patrols at lower league matches across the country in anticipation of any further mayhem.

Officers are also reportedly examining links between far-right extremists and football hooligans following the recent carnage in towns and cities.

But police chiefs have expressed hope that the ‘community spirit’ at matches could act as a ‘big counterbalance’ to any possible disorder.

Sir Keir Starmer today told police to stay on ‘high alert’ this weekend amid fears of a fresh outbreak of rioting

The Prime Minister met with Metropolitan Police bosses this morning for a briefing on the force’s response to the widespread chaos over the past 11 days

Sir Keir admitted the start of the football season this weekend would be ‘added into the mix’ when asked about concerns of further violence

Speaking to broadcasters at Scotland Yard this morning, the PM reiterated his message that the police should maintain ‘high alert’ going into the weekend.

Sir Keir said: ‘My message to the police and all of those that are charged with responding to disorder is maintain that high alert.

‘I’m absolutely convinced that having the police officers in place these last few days, and the swift justice that has been dispensed in our courts have had a real impact.

‘But we have to stay on high alert going into this weekend because we absolutely have to make sure that our communities are safe and secure and feel safe and secure.’

Asked if the football season would make it easier or harder to manage rioting, the PM added: ‘I think there were a lot of things in the mix this weekend but of course, whatever the challenge, we have to rise to it.

‘That’s why I’ve had Cobra meetings, that’s why I’ve been talking to the police today about their plans for the weekend.

‘Yes, football is added into the mix, there are other things in the mix, but our focus has to be absolutely solely on the safety and security of our communities, and that’s exactly where it is.’

Clubs in the English Football League will start their new campaigns this weekend and supporters have been warned against ‘violent, thuggish behaviour’

Police are poised to step up patrols at lower league matches across the country in anticipation of any further mayhem

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds warned football fans they would face swift action if they engaged in any disorder in the coming days

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds earlier warned football fans they would face swift action if they engaged in any disorder in the coming days.

Asked about fears far-right groups could seek to exploit fixtures this weekend, the Paymaster General told Sky News: ‘You always are vigilant about far-right activity and that is what the Government will continue to be.

‘Going into this weekend, it’s important that the message continues to go out that if you engage in violent, thuggish behaviour on our streets, you’re going to be dealt with quickly by the criminal justice system.

‘We’ve already seen sentences of up to three years handed down, people now facing the inside of a prison cell because of the appalling way in which they’ve conducted themselves in recent days.

‘But also we’ll continue to make those additional officers available and where there are communities with particular fears – I was in Bristol, for example, yesterday talking to Muslim community leaders – we will make sure that we make protection available to those communities as well. It’s hugely important.’

According to The Times, police believe there is ‘crossover’ between far-right extremists and football hooligans and are probing links.

The newspaper reported that police are in contact with the English Football League, stadium security and steward managers about tactics to prevent disorder.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), suggested there would be more police on patrol at matches this weekend.

He told a media brefing yesterday that football authorities had been working with police as assessments were being refreshed on a ‘fixture-by-fixture level’.

‘In reality, what will probably happen to do with some of those football fixtures is the resources will be drawn down the tiers, in order that bolster extra support,’ he said.

Mr Stephens added he felt the ‘community spirit’ at football matches could act as a ‘big counterbalance’ to any possible disorder.