Far-right protesters clash with police across the UK

Anti-Islamic chants heard as violence sweeps the country

- JOE MIDDLETON

Violent protests spread across the UK yesterday with far-right thugs hurling bricks, bottles and chairs at the police as demonstrations broke out in more than half a dozen cities.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the “thuggery” and “criminal disorder” that has followed in the wake of the tragic Southport stabbings, warning that anyone involved in the ongoing violence “will pay the price”.

“Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets,” she said yesterday afternoon following clashes in cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast.

“We’ve been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price,” the Labour MP added.

Ms Cooper said perpetrators face arrests, prosecution, financial penalties, imprisonment and travel bans to ensure that communities can feel safe.

However, she stopped short of recalling Parliament, a demand made earlier in the day by Tory leadership hopeful Priti Patel, who described the government’s response to disorder in the UK as “troubling and inadequate”.

Ms Cooper attended emergency talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday, who said the police have his full support to take action against the “extremists” on the street who were trying to “sow hate” by intimidating communities. But shadow home secretary James Cleverly urged the government to “do more” to restore public order and “send a clear message to the thugs”.