British justice has announced the initial prison terms for individuals involved in anti-immigrant clashes fueled by far-right groups in the United Kingdom. A Liverpool court sentenced Derek Drummond, 58, to three years in prison for assaulting a police officer during the disturbances in Southport last week, which sparked the wave of violence following the murder of three girls by a 17-year-old. Two other men, aged 29 and 41, received sentences of 30 months and 20 months respectively for their role in the unrest in central Liverpool.
The ruling was disclosed just hours before new protests were planned at multiple locations across the country. Police estimate roughly a hundred demonstrations are expected, alongside around 30 counter-demonstrations by anti-racist groups. Jim McMahon, the housing and communities secretary, told Sky News that authorities must be ready for possible repeat disorder, while emphasizing that those who intend to cause trouble or incite others will face the full force of the law.
Rising arrest figures
The British government is hoping swift judicial action will deter potential participants in fresh disturbances in the coming hours. As of now, about 428 arrests have been recorded by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, with charges brought against 140 individuals. A police chief in Essex warned that violent disorder carries a maximum penalty of five years, noting that several suspects with clean records have already been jailed after their first court appearance.
The police have deployed close to 6,000 dispersal and riot officers, representing around 35 percent of the force’s overall capacity, to confront possible clashes in the near term. The main concern centers on planned gatherings outside migrant reception centers and at offices handling asylum applications. This could echo last Sunday’s violent assaults on two hotels housing migrants in Rotherham and Tamworth, where crowds threw objects at police, shattered windows, and attempted arson while residents and staff were inside.
Messages from anti-racism groups
The government has stepped up security around mosques to shield the Muslim community from new attacks, though fears linger that minority groups could clash with right-wing agitators. London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is Muslim, warned that violence based on race or faith will not be tolerated and that anyone breaking the law will be pursued by the justice system. He stated that London embodies zero tolerance for racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, or any form of hatred, and that the city remains open, diverse, and welcoming to people of all religions and backgrounds. These remarks were issued in a formal statement.
The authorities are monitoring social media activity, particularly posts from prominent far-right figures like Tommy Robinson and the influencer Andrew Tate, who have faced charges related to hate crimes and human trafficking. The government is seeking cooperation from major technology firms to curb the spread of misinformation, including claims that the Southport killer was a Muslim immigrant who arrived illegally via the Channel. Police later clarified that the suspect was a 17-year-old Welsh-born individual with Rwandan parents, but the wave of violence continued through the eighth day on Wednesday.