UK riots LIVE: Cops on ‘high alert’ & given special powers to tackle riot yobs over weekend as King thanks police

Declaring disorder as terrorism ‘not ruled out’

Declaring incidents of violent disorder around the country as terrorism “has not been, and will not be, ruled out”, a police chief has warned.

It comes after director of public prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson suggested terrorism charges could be considered.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, the head of counter-terrorism policing, which is supporting forces across the country as they respond to unrest by helping with intelligence gathering and planning among other measures, said: “We know that many people will feel vulnerable at this time and we are supporting local forces with protective security expertise and advice.

“We have seen terrible examples of violent crime, disorder and criminal damage, and charges are already being brought across the country. I am very clear that using terrorism legislation or declaring activity as terrorism has not been, and will not be, ruled out.

“Counter-terrorism policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgments without fear or favour.

“Our message to those involved in this disorder is; we are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities.”

No arrests in Birmingham

Police said no arrests were made in Birmingham on Wednesday night following reports of anti-immigration demonstrations.

Hundreds of protesters assembled outside an immigration advice centre in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, with some holding signs reading “Oppose Tommy Robinson”, “Bigots out of Brum” and “Stamp out Islamophobia”, the PA news agency reported.

Birmingham police said on social media: “There has been no reported disorder or any arrests made at this evening’s protest in Birmingham.

“Officers will continue reassurance patrols throughout the night as we continue to support our communities and businesses.”

Woman avoids jail after harassment conviction

A Derbyshire woman has avoided jail after being convicted of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, assaulting an emergency worker and stirring up hatred during disorder in Nottingham at the weekend.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said 42-year-old Victoria Jayne Gray was detained after pushing an police officer, shouting a series of offensive racist and homophobic comments, and spitting on the officers arresting her.

At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday, she also faced a charge of possession of a weapon for taking a can of pepper spray to the scene in Long Row.

She pleaded guilty to all offences and was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity, the CPS said.

UK's oldest rioter jailed

William Morgan, 69, from Walton, Liverpool, was one of dozens of violent rioters jailed today as cops cracked down on a week of carnage.

Morgan, a retired welder, was spotted armed with a wooden bat and tossing bricks at cops, during rioting that saw a public library burned down in Liverpool on Saturday night.

Sentencing Morgan to 32 months, the Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary said: “You are 69 years of age now, but your advancing years did not stop you from taking part."

Crowd ‘throws bottles at cops’

The Met Police said at 9.12pm on Wednesday: “Approximately 50 people have gathered in North End Road, Croydon.

“They’ve made clear their intention is to cause disruption & fuel disorder.

“They’ve dragged & thrown objects down the road & thrown bottles at officers.

“This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure anti-social behaviour.

“Officers are moving in numbers to make arrests.”

Asylum Link supporters fill road

Outside the Asylum Link centre on Overbury Street in Liverpool, supporters of the charity filled the road following reports a protest was due to be held outside last night.

A police van blocked off the road as hundreds turned out to protect the building, which had boards over the windows.

Placards were held by members of the crowd including ones which read “Nans Against Nazis”, “Merseyside Pensioners Fight Back” and “When the poor blame the poor only the rich win”.

Signs placed on the fence around the building said “Love not hate” and “One human family”.

Some members of the crowd had their faces covered.

A police helicopter circled ahead and officers patrolled the streets.

‘I’m absolutely encouraged’

Hundreds of people turned out in Southampton chanting “refugees are welcome here” in response to the planned far-right demos.

Speaking afterwards, Glyn Oliver, 70, said he was greatly encouraged by the turn out.

“It’s great,” the retired primary school teacher said. “We’ve got to build a movement. “I’m absolutely encouraged, I’m seeing people I don’t know and loads of youngsters.

“It’s their future and they’re saying no to racism, it’s great to pass the baton.”

Huge crowds in Brighton last night

London arrest breakdown so far

The Met Police revealed the number of arrests which have been made on London on Wednesday evening.

They include…

10 in Croydon for the following offences:

• 1 x assault on an emergency worker
• 4 x breaching a Section 35 dispersal order
• 1 x going equipped for arson
• 4 x violent disorder

Four in Waltham Forest for the following offences:

• 2 x offensive weapon (a lock knife and a golf club)
• 1 x drunk and disorderly
• 1 x obstructing a Section 60 search

One in Hounslow for the following offence:

• 1 x possession of an offensive weapon

Protesters in Birmingham

Groups of counter-protesters gathered in Birmingham yesterday evening, including outside the Refugee and Migrant Centre.

14 people are being hunted by police

Detectives are issuing images of 14 people who may have information following incidents of disorder in Merseyside. 
 
Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “It is vital that these people make themselves known as soon as possible, as we think they can assist our ongoing investigations.
 
“The communities of Southport and beyond were disgusted by the violence and damage caused last week and at the weekend. 
 
“We are still working our way through information, images and footage as it comes in and we’ll continue to take action to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified. 
 
“We have so far seen 42 people arrested, 15 charged and three jailed. There will be more in the coming days, and many people who are sitting comfortably will soon be getting a knock on their door. 
 
“And you will see in coming days, the courts will act as swiftly as possible to jail those people who being violence, racism and hatred into our communities. 
 
“To anyone intent on coming to Merseyside in the future I have the same message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts.”

Protesters hold ‘bigots out of Brum’ banners

Hundreds of protesters assembled directly outside an immigration advice centre in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter yesterday evening, holding banners reading “Bigots out of Brum” and “Stamp out Islamophobia”.

As a nearby clocktower sounded the hour at 8pm, there was no sign of any far-right protest.

The entrance to the advice centre in a three-storey building and several other local businesses, including restaurants and shops, had been boarded up before the rumoured protest.

Riot police to stay on standby for ‘foreseeable future’

Riot police are expected to stay on standby for the “foreseeable future” including through the weekend “and beyond”, according to a police chief.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said officers will continue to be deployed until “the end of the disgusting scenes that we’re seeing across the country”.

Around 6,000 officers have been mobilised to respond to incidents of violence and disorder around the country – about 30% of the total national reserve of some 18,000 who are trained to respond to public order incidents and routinely stand ready to be called in when required.

The number deployed so far includes 3,750 who are tasked with responding to incidents in their force area, with an additional 2,000 who can provide backup or be sent to their neighbouring regions or other parts of the country.

Police sources said the numbers would rise if needed.

The National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC), which is tasked with organising the support provided to forces, was set up in the wake of the 2011 riots so police could better share resources as they respond to similar incidents in the future.

It means thousands of officers trained in responding to public order incidents can be deployed in as little as 24 hours when required.

The body’s other work includes gathering intelligence on protests, drafting in teams of analysts and police officers to look at information and share among forces as incidents emerge.

Mr Williams, the national mobilisation co-ordinator at NPoCC, said officers will “remain on standby for the foreseeable future, and certainly through to this weekend and beyond”, adding: “We are ready for the days ahead and will continue to be ready, and we’ll act swiftly to bring the offenders to justice.”

“We’ve got a busy night tonight, that’s our expectation, certainly the intelligence and the list of potential disorder locations and events and the targeting of certain locations is quite significant.

“So there is a huge policing presence out to manage that, to prevent it, to be visible and to bring a capacity at a local level to deal with it robustly.

“But we will continue to monitor going forward through those intelligence structures and other such things to ensure that we do mobilise and work with the local forces to deploy a sufficient set of resources to be ready for anything that may prevail”, he said.

He insisted officers have the equipment needed to be deployed but said there will still be other competing needs for resources as well – ahead of the start of the football season and other protests which have been taking place.

The costs of the operation so far have not been disclosed but Mr Williams said: “Money is not a factor in our response. We will put whatever resources at whatever cost to dealing with this until we have brought all those responsible to justice.”

The welfare of officers was also “incredibly important” and there was a “responsibility to take care of our officers” while working to keep the public safe.

“They require rest and refreshment and the break that these are really challenging incidents and environments for police officers to work in.

“We have sadly seen a number of our officers being injured and some of our horses and dogs. It is truly awful”, he added.

Crowd 'throws bottles at cops'

The Met Police said at 9.12pm on Wednesday: "Approximately 50 people have gathered in North End Road, Croydon.

"They’ve made clear their intention is to cause disruption & fuel disorder.

"They've dragged & thrown objects down the road & thrown bottles at officers.

"This is not linked to protest, this appears to be pure anti-social behaviour.

"Officers are moving in numbers to make arrests."

Demonstrators gather in Walthamstow

A large number of demonstrators can be seen gathering in Walthamstow on Wednesday.

Some can be seen holding Palestine flags.

Met Police deploys more than 1,000 cops

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said: "This evening more than 1,000 officers were deployed in London ready to respond to events planned across the city.

"They were ready to protect our communities from hateful, divisive and violent behaviour.

“Two large anti-racism protests took place in Waltham Forest and Finchley. The majority of people engaged with officers and complied with conditions. These events passed without major incident or disruption.

“However, officers did face anti-social behaviour from a small group in Croydon who were not related to any protest, but were intent on causing trouble.

"Our top priority has been to keep our communities safe, prevent significant disorder and swiftly deal with any offenders. A number of arrests were made across the city this evening.

“We used a range of powers as part of our policing operation in order to keep people safe. This included the use of Section 60 and 60AA powers across various locations, giving officers extra powers to stop and search people and request the removal of face coverings. As a result, officers seized a number of weapons.

"I want to thank our communities for coming together across the capital and for showing community spirit this evening. I would also like to thank the committed officers who have been working hard to police London today, serving their communities and keeping people safe.”

London arrest breakdown so far

The Met Police revealed the number of arrests which have been made on London so far on Wednesday evening.

They include...

10 in Croydon for the following offences:

• 1 x assault on an emergency worker
• 4 x breaching a Section 35 dispersal order
• 1 x going equipped for arson
• 4 x violent disorder

Four in Waltham Forest for the following offences:

• 2 x offensive weapon (a lock knife and a golf club)
• 1 x drunk and disorderly
• 1 x obstructing a Section 60 search

One in Hounslow for the following offence:

• 1 x possession of an offensive weapon

No arrests in Birmingham

Police said no arrests were made in Birmingham on Wednesday night following reports of anti-immigration demonstrations.

Hundreds of protesters assembled outside an immigration advice centre in the city's Jewellery Quarter, with some holding signs reading "Oppose Tommy Robinson", "Bigots out of Brum" and "Stamp out Islamophobia", the PA news agency reported.

Birmingham police said on social media: "There has been no reported disorder or any arrests made at this evening's protest in Birmingham.

"Officers will continue reassurance patrols throughout the night as we continue to support our communities and businesses."

Man draped in St George's flag drinks from can

A man with a St George's flag round his shoulders drinks from a can ahead of a line of police in Southampton.

Protesters gather in Walthamstow

Demonstrators gathered in Walthamstow, some holding signs says "refugees welcome here".

Man arrested in Southampton

A man draped in a St George's flag was seen being pinned to the ground and arrested in Southampton.

'I'm absolutely encouraged'

Hundreds of people turned out in Southampton chanting "refugees are welcome here" in response to the planned far-right demos.

Speaking afterwards, Glyn Oliver, 70, said he was greatly encouraged by the turn out.

“It’s great,” the retired primary school teacher said. “We’ve got to build a movement. “I’m absolutely encouraged, I’m seeing people I don’t know and loads of youngsters.

“It’s their future and they’re saying no to racism, it’s great to pass the baton.”

Police make arrest in Sunderland