England is currently experiencing a wave of far-right riots that have persisted for more than a week, targeting ethnic minorities and immigrants across the country. Over 400 individuals have been arrested, with authorities expecting the number to rise as security forces continue to identify and apprehend participants. The unrest began after online rumors circulated, alleging that the suspect in a stabbing attack on July 29 in the northern town of Southport, which resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to several others, was a Muslim immigrant. These rumors, later debunked by police, were found to be disinformation propagated by far-right groups to incite anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment. Authorities have clarified that the suspect, 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, was born in Wales and is not Muslim.
Despite official statements regarding the suspect's identity, the fury of far-right supporters could not be quelled. Anti-immigration protests were organized on social media platforms like X, WhatsApp and Telegram which lead to criticism of these social media companies. The gatherings initially began with marches and anti-immigrant slogans but escalated rapidly into violence and widespread chaos. Protestors, including youths as young as 14, began vandalizing mosques, writing racist slurs on immigrants' homes, and damaging properties. The situation evolved into full-scale riots that spread throughout England and eventually spilled over into Northern Ireland. Rioters engaged in clashes with law enforcement, resulting in numerous injuries among police officers. In Bolton, clashes between hundreds of far-right demonstrators and counter-protesters prompted police to issue a dispersal order. In Middlesbrough, rioters broke through a police line and hurled projectiles around, vandalizing cars and buildings.
Furthermore, rioters attacked and set ablaze the Holiday Inn hotel in Rotherham, which has long been used by the British government to host refugee asylum seekers. All asylum seekers were evacuated following the violence on Sunday, and while no casualties have been reported, some were forced to spend the night in nearby woods after the attacks. Other buildings housing refugees were also targeted. In Aldershot, a mob gathered outside a hotel accommodating asylum seekers, fueled by claims that some residents had previously abused local women. However, neighbors refuted these allegations, with one man stating that his wife, who frequently walks their dogs late at night, has never encountered any issues. Another local woman described the hotel residents as harmless individuals simply seeking a better life, expressing that she would rather host 100 asylum seekers than a single rioter.
In response to the large turnout at the anti-immigrant protests, there was also significant opposition. On Wednesday, thousands of anti-racism demonstrators took to the streets across the UK to counter the far-right rallies. They gathered in several cities to protect immigration centers and show solidarity with the communities targeted by the far-right. While thousands of police officers were deployed nationwide in anticipation of further violence, the anti-racism protests remained peaceful. These protests provided a major relief to the recently elected left-wing Labour government and the communities affected by the riots. One counter-protestor told reporters that he joined the anti-racism protests because without the opposition, the “fascists” grow emboldened.
The turmoil is the first major challenge for UK’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who frankly faces a significant public dissatisfaction over the immigration policy. Starmer condemned the attacks on ethnic minorities and pledged that far-right demonstrators will face the law including those who incited this action via the internet. He brings valuable experience to the current situation, having served as Britain’s Director of Public Prosecutions during the 2011 riots that erupted after the fatal police shooting of a Black man in London. Nonetheless, he faces a significant challenge, as Britain’s prisons are currently operating at 99% capacity. In response, officials have announced the creation of new prison spaces, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council is deploying an additional 4,000 officers across the country to manage the disorder. With over 6,000 police officers already mobilized, the far-right groups appear to be more suppressed for the time being following several days of violent riots.