Starmer Introduces Enhanced Police ‘Capability’ in response to Southport Stabbings Unrest

The Prime Minister convened an emergency meeting with top police officers at Downing Street in response to a second night of unrest in London, Hartlepool, and Manchester.

During a press conference after the meeting, Starmer denounced a “tiny, mindless minority in society,” emphasizing that the Southport community “had to suffer twice” due to the stabbings.

He characterized the riots as “not protest” and “not legitimate,” asserting that he would not tolerate a “breakdown of law and order” and would crack down on the “far-right.”

Starmer stated, “We make no distinction. Crime is crime. As a result, I can declare today that, following this meeting, we will establish a national capability across police forces to combat violent disorder.

“These thugs are mobile, they shift from community to community. We must have a policing response that can do the same. Shared intelligence, extensive use of facial recognition technology, and preventive measures, criminal behavior orders to limit their movements before they can even board a train. Similar to how we handle football hooligans.”

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The Prime Minister also cautioned social media companies and their owners, stating that “violent disorder, clearly stoked online,” is “also a crime.”

Starmer also stressed that questions about the events leading up to the Southport stabbings should be addressed after the trial, ensuring that the prosecution is not biased.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood joined at the Downing Street meeting, along with at least a dozen police chiefs.

In London, over 100 individuals were arrested as protesters on Whitehall threw beer cans and bottles at police and ignited flares in Parliament Square.

Demonstrators displaying St George’s flags and banners with messages like “enough is enough” and “stop the boats” gathered outside Downing Street to protest the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside.

Angry chants of: “We want our country back” and, “Oh Tommy Robinson”, a reference to the right-wing activist, were also heard.

The Metropolitan Police made 111 arrests for offenses including violent disorder, assaults on police officers, possession of knives and offensive weapons, and breach of protest conditions.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist expressed, “Last night our officers faced unacceptable scenes of disorder and violence.”

“All our thoughts should be with the victims and families impacted by the horrendous attack in Southport. It is shameful that some have used this tragedy to justify their own violence and criminality,” he added.

A dedicated team of officers is working on bringing charges, the force confirmed.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan condemned criminal activity on the streets, deeming the scenes in the capital “completely unacceptable.”

“In London, our diversity is our greatest strength, and we will always stand united against those spreading hate and division,” Khan affirmed.

Trouble in the North

In the north, disruptions persisted late into the night in Hartlepool, where demonstrators set a police car on fire and threw objects at officers.

Eleven arrests have been made by Cleveland Police so far, with more anticipated.

Cleveland Police Federation chairman Paul Crowley denounced the “disgraceful acts of mindless violence” as “utterly deplorable,” noting that several officers were injured and required hospital treatment.

Police in Manchester also faced a demonstration outside the Holiday Inn on Oldham Road, where protesters threw beer bottles at officers and members of the public.

In Aldershot, Hampshire, riot police were deployed for a demonstration, although the violence witnessed elsewhere in the country was avoided.

Last night’s unrest follows similar incidents in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set vehicles ablaze.

Prior to the Downing Street meeting, Lord Walney, the Government’s independent adviser on political violence, hoped the gathering would explore powers to “refuse and prevent further so-called ‘protests’ utilized by far-right activists as a cover for serious disorder and violence.”

Stabbing Suspect Named

The meeting coincided with the naming of the 17-year-old boy charged with the murder of the three girls in Southport as Axel Rudakabana.

His identity was previously kept confidential due to his young age, but Judge Andrew Menary KC decided not to grant anonymity at Liverpool Crown Court as the accused will soon turn 18.

Rudakabana, residing with his Rwandan parents and an older brother, faces charges of murdering Alice Dasilva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, attempted murder of Leanne Lucas, John Hayes, and eight unnamed children, and possession of a bladed kitchen knife.

He is scheduled to appear next at Liverpool Crown Court on October 25 for a plea hearing.