Prime Minister launches new clampdown on criminal and violent disorder

Following the meeting, Sir Keir Starmer announced the immediate creation of a new Violent Disorder Programme, which will bring together the best policing capabilities from across the country to share intelligence on the activity of violent groups so the authorities can swiftly intervene to arrest them.

Local insight and data will be used to gain a national understanding of where these criminals are operating, including British Transport Police alerting where they see a spike in train ticket sales that could be linked to organised violent disorder.

It will also consider how facial recognition technology, which is already used by some forces, can be deployed more widely across the country. This will mean criminals can be targeted, found and brought to justice quickly.

The Prime Minister said: “I’ve just held a meeting with senior police and law enforcement leaders where we’ve resolved to show who we are. A country that will 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.

“Because let’s be very clear about this. It’s not protest. It’s not legitimate. It’s crime and violent disorder. An assault on the rule of law and the execution of justice.

“And so, on behalf of the British people who expect their values and their security to be upheld, we will put a stop to it.”

The programme will also support the swift deployment of surge teams to forces which need them, for example, when they are faced with intelligence that suggests organised violence in a particular area.

“The tragic events in Southport on Monday shone a light on the heroism of our emergency services and the work they do to keep the public safe,” said the Prime Minister’s Office. “However, this was exploited by a criminal minority who directly targeted the police in a shocking display of aggression later that day which left fifty officers injured.”

The Prime Minister was clear that criminals will “never be allowed to hide behind the legitimate right to protest in order to wreak havoc and intimidation in our communities.”

The plans form part of the Government’s mission to ‘take back our streets’ by halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Southport suffered a horrific attack that no community should ever have to face. But instead of being shown respect for their grief, the community had to endure violent disorder and thuggery.

“For the emergency services who responded with bravery to save lives on Monday to then face attack themselves on Tuesday is disgraceful and it only adds to the trauma when we should be thinking of the families of the little girls, and making sure they can get justice.

“Communities have a right to feel safe without deliberate organised violence or thuggery in our streets. Criminals need to face the full force of the law and today we made clear that the police have our strong support in keeping the streets safe. We will work with senior police officers across the country to make sure there is rapid intelligence sharing and swift action to stop violent disorder and make sure criminals pay the price.”

Responding to the creation of the National Violent Disorder Programme, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, National Police Chiefs’ Council chair, said: “This has been an incredibly tough week for those communities affected and my thoughts are with the bereaved, their families and also with the first responders who have been dealing with the outbreaks of unnecessary and senseless violence.

“This is a time for communities to unite and support each other – they shouldn’t have to experience the disgraceful disorder carried out these last two nights by a minority whose only aim is to divide us.

“Policing leaders are working together to make sure our communities are fully supported and our response is coordinated.

“This type of violent disorder is completely inexcusable and forces will be using every tool at their disposal to identify those involved. Anyone found responsible will face the full force of the law, and we will make sure our communities get justice.

“I would like to thank all the officers and first responders involved for their bravery and unity. At times like these it is encouraging to see the way forces come together to support each other, as well as the wider public.

“All of us in public leadership or in positions of influence have a responsibility to use our platform to help bring people together. It is more important than ever for us to call out disinformation, highlight harmful practices, report and condemn criminal behaviour and work together for a better society.

“We welcome any support which helps us to strengthen our policing capability to deal with these types of incidents. We look forward to working with government and receiving more details on the creation of a National Violent Disorder Programme and further work on tools such as live facial recognition.”

Following his meeting with the Prime Minister and other police chiefs at 10 Downing Street, Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive officer at the College of Policing, said: “My thoughts remain firmly with the families of the little girls killed in Southport and the other people who are still recovering. I cannot begin to comprehend the extent of their grief and trauma at this time.

“This violence, from thugs who are hijacking the terrible grief felt across the country, is despicable, unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The same police officers who run towards harm to protect us are now being pelted with bricks, bins and fireworks. I’m grateful to the prime minister for extending his full support to my colleagues as they deal with this criminality.

“Tonight, and over the weekend, police officers will be out in large numbers to protect us and our families. The College of Policing is making sure public order commanders have the support and guidance to utilise the full extent of the law and the tactics available to us.

“I say clearly to anyone who is seeking to bring further violence to our streets that your thuggish behaviour is not acceptable and not welcome in our communities.

“Police are already tracking down those involved in violence and anyone else thinking of joining in should know they will face the full force of the law.”

Commenting on the recent disorder, Dr John Coxhead, Professor of Policing Practice at Loughborough University, said the tragic incident in Southport has “emboldened a vocal minority to vent their pent up frustrations by taking to the streets and delivering distressing destruction”.

He added: “The investigation at Southport is serious and the focus on those killed and injured is now being distracted by others who are wanting to use the tragic incident to fuel their own agenda, and trigger a summer of thrill-seeking impulsive insurrection.

“At a time like this, we should be respecting those who have lost their lives and seizing the opportunity to take a more solution-oriented approach to build from where we are now, with a sense of mission and direction leading towards a better positive future, and not degenerate into a stone throwing, self-destructive, mob.”