“UK Braces for Far-Right Riots Amid Rising Anti-Migrant Violence”

British police are preparing for further anti-Muslim and anti-migrant riots as far-right groups plan to target asylum centres and immigration law firms across the country. This has prompted anti-fascist protesters to organize counter demonstrations to mitigate the violence and unrest.

Britain has been experiencing a surge in violence since early last week when three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England. False messages online wrongly identified the suspected killer as an Islamist migrant, sparking the unrest. Specialist immigration law firms and migrant support centres shut down on Wednesday, and some family doctors’ services in affected areas closed early to protect their staff.

Messages circulated on social media, with influential figures relaying police guidance and neighbourhood WhatsApp groups detailing areas to avoid. Asylum Link Merseyside, a support centre for asylum seekers and refugees in Liverpool, shut its building and took measures to secure the premises. Businesses across the country boarded up their windows in anticipation of the protests.

The government and police have condemned the threats and violence. Justice Minister Shabana Mahmood stated, “Inciting mobs to attack lawyers’ offices, or threatening them in any way, is unacceptable,” and warned that those responsible would face the full force of the law. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing his first crisis since taking office, has warned rioters of lengthy jail terms and emphasized the need to quell the worst outbreak of violence in Britain in 13 years.

In various towns and cities, groups of rioters have clashed with police, smashed windows of hotels housing asylum-seekers, and pelted mosques with rocks. Muslim organisations have issued safety advice to their communities. London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed concern, noting that the scenes had left many Muslims and minority ethnic communities scared and fearful. Anti-racism and anti-fascist groups have organized counter demonstrations in response to the planned far-right attacks.

The government has assembled a “standing army” of 6,000 specialist police officers to respond to any outbreaks of violence. London police chief Mark Rowley assured that officers would be agile and ready for various eventualities, emphasizing that they would not allow the immigration asylum system to be intimidated. So far, over 400 people have been arrested, and more than 140 have been charged in connection with the riots.