Since the mass stabbing in Southport on Monday that left three children dead, multiple riots have erupted in Southport, London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot, with British police expecting more protests in the coming days.
A “tsunami of lies” on social media is fanning the flames of protests across the UK, said Professor Matthew Feldman, a leading expert on right-wing extremism.
According to a BBC analysis, activity on mainstream social media and in smaller public groups showed a clear pattern of influencers calling on people to gather for protests, and revealed how the far-right is organizing in the UK.
“There’s not been a single driving force,” said Joe Mulhall, head of research at anti-racism research group Hope Not Hate. “That reflects the nature of the contemporary far-right. There are large numbers of people engaging in activity online but there’s no membership structure or badge – there are not even formalized leaders, but they are directed by social media influencers.”
Meanwhile, police chiefs have promised to boost police presence this weekend, as there is evidence of at least 15 rallies advertised online.
Officers will not “stand by and let criminals carry out unnecessary violence in our communities,” said chief constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
“Our message to anyone thinking of getting involved in this type of criminality is clear – if you cause violence, you will face the full force of the law and we have the full backing of our criminal justice partners,” said Stephens.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday condemned far-right demonstrators for the recent violent disorder seen in parts of the country.
“It’s not protest. It’s not legitimate. It’s a crime. Violent disorder. An assault on the rule of law and the execution of justice,” he said during a press conference held at Downing Street.
The violent protests have seen a mosque in Southport being attacked, and a police car in Hartlepool set on fire. Meanwhile, around 100 people were arrested after flares and bricks were hurled at the gates of Downing Street on Wednesday.
Three children died and multiple others were injured after the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport on Monday. A 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, although the motivation behind the attack remains unclear.