Online offenders inciting violent disorder pursued by ROCUs

Teams from across the country working as part of the national network of Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs) have confirmed they are investigating hundreds of leads.

Leads from the serious and organised crime team are working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said officers will work together to build a “clear intelligence picture” of those believed to be organising and influencing violence both online and in the real world.

Content will then be assessed by a senior investigator to determine if it meets the criminal threshold and offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged.

On Friday (August 9) Jordan Parlour became the first person to be jailed for stirring up racial hatred online during the public disorder.

The 28-year-old posted comments on Facebook advocating an attack on a hotel in Leeds where asylum seekers were housed.

At Leeds Crown Court he was jailed for 20 months.

Lee Dunn, 51, was jailed for eight weeks after pleading guilty to posting grossly offensive messages on social media that risked worsening community tensions during the disorder.

On Monday (August 12) the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised South Wales Police to charge two men over alleged Facebook posts on or around July 31 in relation to the public disorder.

Rosemary Ainslie, acting head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the CPS has also authorised Northamptonshire Police to charge Lucy Connolly, 41, with publishing material intending to stir up racial hatred, contrary to Section 19 of the Public Order Act 1986.

The charge relates to alleged written material on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on July 29.

A man has been jailed for encouraging violence online just two days after he posted on social media during the public disorder.

Tyler Kay, 26, wrote an offensive anti-immigration post on X on Wednesday, August 7, calling for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set alight. He was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment at Northampton Crown Court.

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime said: “Let me be clear – inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder are incredibly serious offences.

“This past week our communities have suffered in a number of ways – people have fallen victim to hate crimes and officers have been subjected to sustained violence and a number of important community buildings have been destroyed.

“But this abhorrent activity didn’t happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn’t mobilise spontaneously.

“It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport. They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes – causing chaos on other people’s doorsteps.”

He added: “Anyone who has been a part of this appalling behaviour should be aware that we have specialist officers from the ROCU network monitoring content and working at pace to identify you.

“Online crimes have real world consequences and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence. These crimes are deplorable and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

More than 500 prison places are being made available to boost capacity over the coming weeks and ensure there are cells ready to receive all those sent to custody by the courts.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said:  “The mindless minority who caused and took part in the disgraceful scenes we witnessed were warned they would soon feel the full force of the law. Many have already seen the inside of a courtroom and will see a stint behind bars too. Where they have gone, more will follow.

“I would like to pay tribute to the thousands of dedicated professionals across the criminal justice system who have worked tirelessly so such swift action could be taken.”

Keith Fraser, chair of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), said it was “sad reality that children will have been involved in the disorder”.

On Monday, a 12-year-old boy pleaded guilty at Liverpool Youth Court, after being charged with violent disorder.

The youth was identified through CCTV footage showing him throwing an unknown object towards a line of police officers during violent disorder that took place in Southport on  July 30.

Ursula Doyle, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Taking part in violent unrest is unacceptable, and it is deeply disturbing to see young people bringing disorder to their communities.

“We will not hesitate to continue to charge and convict all offences of disorder where there is the evidence to do so, no matter what age the defendant may be.”

The boy will be sentenced at Liverpool Youth Court on September 17.

Mr Fraser said: “We continue to send our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the three girls who so tragically lost their lives in the attack in Southport, as well as all those who were injured or affected by the incident.

“The YJB condemns the violent disorder we have been seeing, and we are grateful to the police, other services who have responded with courage and selflessness to protect others. It has been so encouraging to see individuals within those towns and cities affected come together to denounce the violence and rebuild communities.

“It is a sad reality that children will have been involved in the disorder and will now be facing the consequences.

“During civil disorder in 2011, around a third of those appearing before the courts were children and research showed there were many complex reasons why children got involved in the disorder.

“Some of this was related to maturity, including being influenced by social media and peers. There were also many social factors involved, and children were more likely to be involved if they were from economically deprived circumstances, had little engagement in their communities or felt alienated from police and schools.

“Disproportionately, many of the children involved in 2011 had special educational needs and disabilities.”

He added: “We have taken this into account while reviewing the YJB position on these most recent violent disturbances, alongside the evidence that shows what works in youth justice to create safer communities with fewer victims.

“While the seriousness of the conduct of some children will mean that prosecution will be necessary, where appropriate, we support alternative ways of holding children to account that will enable them to pay back to the local community and reduce their likelihood of offending in future.”