Sir Keir Starmer has told the police they have ministers’ full backing to take “all necessary action to keep our streets safe” from “thugs” who “sow hate” as violent protests erupted across the UK following the stabbing of three girls in Southport.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister had met senior ministers including the deputy prime minister, home secretary, justice secretary and the policing minister to discuss the public disorder and unrest seen in towns and cities in recent days.
After thanking police who responded to the violence in Sunderland on Friday night, which saw four officers injured, Sir Keir said officers “have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.
“The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things,” he said, adding that “there is no excuse for violence of any kind”.
Sir Keir reiterated that the government backed the police to take “all necessary action to keep our streets safe”.
Police detain a woman during a protest in Nottingham Market Square. Pic: PA
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price”, telling broadcasters “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”.
Ms Cooper said: “We’ve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including…
