UK riots planned for 38 areas - cops say 'leaked target list is credible threat' (2024)

Violent riots have erupted across many cities inlcuding Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the brutal murders of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside last week - and more are planned

Mobs of far-right protesters are threatening to bring further disorder to UK towns and city after the country was plunged into chaos last week with police making hundreds of arrests.

Violent riots erupted across many cities inlcuding Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the brutal murders of three young girls that left many others injured in an attack in Southport, Merseyside last week. Misinformation quickly spread online that the suspect was a Muslim refugee, but it later emerged that the person who police arrested who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents.

Right-wing groups soon organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull, and Middlesbrough to Plymouth with many heard chanting anti-Islam and anti-immigration slogans. Many of the protests descended into outright violence with hotels housing migrants and refugees being set on fire and police being attacked at multiple riots.

A supposed 'target list' of 38 areas where riots are said to be planned on Wednesday has leaked on social media - and a police source today said that the force was treating it as a 'credible threat'. As many as 2,000 more officers are said to be being drafted in.

Police are ready for further disorder as they prepare for at least 30 potential gatherings tomorrow, sources say. More than 400 suspects have now been arrested in the wake of violence around the country.

Police are aware of six potential events on Tuesday and officers are anticipating a busy day on Wednesday as they take seriously reports of at least 30 planned gatherings.

The situation is being watched closely and officers are ready to respond. Thousands of extra cops have been brought in and where there's credible specific intelligence they will be put in place, sources said.

A police source said of Wednesday's planned gathering: "It's being watched closely and we are ready to respond. We have got thousands of extra officers and where there's credible, specific intelligence, officers will be put in place and will be ready to respond immediately."

The source said it is difficult to identify what threats are credible but so far the intelligence has been "fairly solid".

He said: "Wednesday is going to be a busy day. We are assessing what is credible and what isn't but we have a lot more resources stood-up now than we did at the weekend."

The source said it was hard to predict the numbers turning up in advance.

"Some is planned but also a lot is sporadic in terms of local people seeing stuff online and turning up out of the blue. It's quite a nuanced picture."

Have protests broken out in your area? Get in touch at webnews@reachplc.com

Where are the new riots planned?

A message on encrypted platform Telegram reveals 38 towns and cities potentially facing ugly clashes on their streets.

Out of a total of 18,000 "Level 2" trained riot officers on Police Support Units across England and Wales around 30% have now been deployed, totalling 5,950.

The units are standardised across all of the 43 police forces in England and Wales and consist of one inspector, three sergeants, eighteen constables, and three drivers. Capacity has surged by 2,200, adding to the 3,750 that were on duty over the weekend.

Other tactics being employed include the use of facial recognition technology to identify suspects, online monitoring and specialist teams in each force area responsible for hunting down the thugs. Counter-terror police are investigating if any terror offences might have been committed. Police chiefs believe the worst violence has already been seen and expect another day or two of violence but are prepared if it continues.

Far-right activists are planning a fresh wave of disorder this week with almost 40 locations being shared across social media channels..

The Mirror has declined to publish the list of locations said to be being targeted by far right groups on Wednesday.

The Mirror has confirmed the lengthy list of "targets" are immigration centres or at the locations of immigration lawyers based in England.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the riots, branding them as acts of "far-right thuggery." He vowed those involved in the riots would "face the full force of the law."

He added people in the UK "have a right to be safe" and yet we've seen "Muslim communities targeted...Nazi salutes in the street." Mr Starmer continued: "I won't shy away from calling it what it is - far-right thuggery."

What have police said?

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “Should any planned protests or spontaneous incidents escalate into violent disorder seen elsewhere in the country, officers will swiftly and robustly respond and deal with [them].”

They added that it “monitors a variety of sources including social media and reports from the public to identify planned protest or disruption in our area” and “have well-rehearsed plans in place to deal with any issues that may arise.”

A spokesperson from Cleveland Police said it would have an increased presence over the next few days and it would be “providing reassurance to residents and speaking to members of the public about their concerns.” They added: "We are aware of information currently in circulation on social media and other platforms about further activity in the area and we’re monitoring the situation closely."

Sussex Police urging the public to “remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or concerns”.

Derbyshire police said they are "fully aware" of the information circulating online and have offered reassurance to the public. A spokesperson for the force said: "We are fully aware of information circulating online about planned protests on Wednesday.

“Since the incidents that were seen elsewhere in the country, we have put in place a full operational and resourcing plan – which is being led by our assistant chief constable Michelle Shooter. We are continuing to communicate with our local communities and ensure that we understand their concerns – and they understand the policing ability to keep them safe.

“We will continue to monitor the information about any events planned in the county and review our policing plans in line with any new information.”

Where have riots already taken place?

Migrant hotels have been stormed and cities and towns have seen mass acts of mindless vandalism as riots have spread to every corner of England. Mobs of far-right demonstrators descended on two hotels in Rotherham and Tamworth this past week and set fires inside the buildings as migrants were inside.

Masked men smashed windows and hurled projectiles at police who protected those inside the building. In Middlesbrough and Liverpool, thugs smashed house and car windows and attacked officers.

Fights broke out in Manchester and Bolton leading to dozens of people being arrested in connection with the disorder. Meanwhile, rioters hurled petrol bombs at police in Belfast in another night of chaos in the Northern Ireland city.

Officers forces up and down the country have started making mass arrests with hundreds being hauled into police stations. Justice Minister Heidi Alexander said courts would sit through the night to swiftly see rioters in the dock.

She told LBC Radio today: "The additional courts protocol is something that could possibly be invoked in different regions of the UK if the chief police officer and the chief prosecutor in that area decide that they want it.

“They make an application to the judiciary and so the judiciary indicated yesterday that they would be willing to consider any of those requests.

“It would mean that in the magistrates courts there could be longer sittings, sittings through the evening, the night, at weekends.”