Starmer Pledges 'Standing Army' of Officers to Combat Riots

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the deployment of a "standing army" of specialist police officers to address the recent riots across the country. The unrest, which has been linked to far-right activists and misinformation spread online about a stabbing incident at a dance class, resulted in significant violence, including attacks on businesses and places of worship. The Prime Minister emphasized the need to ensure public safety and hold social media companies accountable for disinformation.

The justice system is expected to handle an influx of cases related to the riots, with concerns raised about the capacity of already overstretched courts. Criminal barrister Chris Daw KC warned that prioritizing riot cases could delay the prosecution of other serious crimes such as rapes. The government maintains that it can manage the increased caseload, despite criticisms regarding the current state of the courts and prisons.

In response to the violence, the Home Office has introduced a new “rapid response process” to protect mosques and other places of worship. The mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, attributed the violence to far-right extremists and highlighted the need for swift and decisive action to restore order and safety in affected communities.