Starmer to create national unit to tackle violent disorder in wake of far-right riots

A "national capability" will be established to tackle violent disorder and rioters, Keir Starmer announced yesterday, as he warned social media firms they had a responsibility to clamp down on misinformation.

- Vikram Dodd , Aletha Adu

Speaking after violent disorder followed the Southport stabbing attack, the prime minister said the initiative would "pull together" intelligence and action across the country's police forces. This ranged from "the immediate challenge, which is clearly driven by far-right hatred" and "all violent disorder" that flares regardless of motivation.

Starmer appeared furious during a press conference as he condemned the "tiny, mindless minority in society... a gang of thugs" who "got on trains and buses, went to a community that is not their own, a community grieving the most horrific tragedy, and then proceeded to throw bricks at police officers - police officers who just 24 hours earlier had been having to deal with an attack on children in their community".

He said the new plan was designed to show that Britain would "not allow understandable fear to curdle into division and hate in our communities and that will not permit, under any circumstances, a breakdown in law and order on our streets".