Police, public help halt riots but UK still on alert

LONDON: A heavy security presence, rapid arrests and displays of unity by people across Britain prevented a repeat of widespread rioting involving racistattacks targeting Muslims and migrants, officials said on Thursday, adding that they remained on alert.

After police deployed in force and thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets on Wednesday evening, threats of widespread gatherings by far-right anti-immigration groups did not materialise.

For Prime Minister Keir Starmer (in pic) a former chief prosecutor,it is the first major test of his premiership since winning a July 4 election in which the previous Conservative government highlighted immigration as a major issue.


Officials dismissed suggestions the riots were political. "Any suggestion they're patriots, or they've got a cause...is nonsense," Rowley said. "They're criminals, and frankly, most of them are going to be charged with violent disorder, and most of them are going to go to prison for a few years."

Rowley hailed a "successful" night that had gone "verypeacefully" apart from a few criminal incidents. "I think the show of force from the police, and frankly, theshow of unity from communities, together defeated the challengesthat we've seen," he told reporters.