A masked protester hurls a can towards police as clashes erupt in Bristol on 3 August 2024 during the ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration held in reaction to the fatal stabbings in Southport on 29 July. (Justin Tallis/AFP)
The UK is experiencing its worst rioting since 2011 amid far-right movements reacting to a misinformation campaign relating to a mass stabbing on Monday.
Tensions flared in South Yorkshire on Sunday when anti-immigration demonstrators attacked a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
The rallies have been advertised on far-right social media channels under the banner “Enough is enough”.
UK authorities faced growing pressure on Sunday to put an end to England’s worst rioting in 13 years after disturbances linked to child murders and far-right agitators flared across the country.
Unrest related to misinformation about a mass stabbing that killed three young girls earlier in the week has spread to multiple towns and cities with anti-immigration demonstrators clashing with police.
The violence poses a major test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was elected only a month ago after leading Labour to a landslide win over the Conservatives.
In the latest incident, trouble flared in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Sunday when masked anti-immigration demonstrators smashed several windows at a hotel used to house asylum seekers.
More than 90 people were arrested on Saturday after skirmishes broke out at far-right rallies in numerous places, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast.
The violence is the worst England has seen since the summer of 2011, prompting concerns and actions from government officials and police forces.