UK’s Keir Starmer meets with police chiefs to discuss recent unrest

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with police chiefs on Thursday to discuss the violent clashes that erupted in northwest England after the killing of three children.

Large disturbances broke out in Southport on Tuesday after false information was spread on social media that the suspect in the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant, with anti-immigrant protesters descending on Southport town from elsewhere.

“This is not a protest. This was violent disorder,” Starmer told a meeting in 10 Downing Street, which police chiefs attended via video link.

In London on Wednesday, thousands gathered near the prime minister’s Downing Street residence, shouting, “Save our kids”, “We want our country back” and “Stop the boats”, as well as English football chants.

London’s Metropolitan Police said on Thursday that 111 people had been arrested for offences including violent disorder and assaults on police officers.