Mapping far-right riots in the UK (2024)

Rioters have attacked people, shops, cars and public spaces as far-right violence sweeps across the United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has decried “far-right thuggery”.

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But members of Muslim community and activists have accused politicians, including the governing Labour party, of downplaying the levels of racism and Islamophobia taking place. They also say politicians and some media outlets are to blame for railing against migration for years.

What started the riots?

Disinformation on social media is an immediate factor.

The July 29 killing of three young girls in a knife attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop in the northern English town of Southport shocked the UK. A 17-year-old suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was arrested in connection with the worst violence in the UK in a decade.

But false information on social media about the suspect’s origins spread like wildfire with some falsely naming him as a Muslim and migrant. The name “Ali al-Shakati”, with no official source, was shared.

Mapping far-right riots in the UK (1)

Even after the suspect was named as Rudakubana, a British-born teenager who is neither a Muslim nor a migrant, agitators continued to decry immigration and Muslims.

In the days following the attack in Southport, protests led by far-right groups escalated into clashes with police in multiple towns, as a wave of unrest saw rioters targeting mosques and businesses owned by the minority community and hotels housing asylum seekers.

Who is behind the riots?

Many of the rioters back the far right, police have said.

Well-known far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and the influencer Andrew Tate have been posting at pace, stirring up hatred online.

Tate said in a video on X that an “undocumented migrant” who had “arrived on a boat” had attacked the girls in Southport.

Robinson told his 800,000 followers on X that there was “more evidence to suggest Islam is a mental health issue rather than a religion of peace”.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is said to have fuelled tensions by questioning whether police were being truthful about Southport’s attack not being “terror-related”.

Where have riots spread in the UK?

Riots have swept across most of the UK, including in Wales and Northern Ireland, however, the majority of unrest has been in English cities and towns.

Some of the locations include: Aldershot, Belfast, Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Hartlepool, High Wycombe, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Rotherham, Southport, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tamworth and Weymouth.

How many people have been arrested?

More than 400 people have been arrested since the violence began, 100 of whom have already been charged.

According to London Metropolitan Police, 111 people were arrested in central London on Wednesday following a demonstration in Whitehall.

In other places such as Middlesbrough, in northern England, about 43 people were arrested on Monday, said Cleveland police. At least 29 people had been arrested in Hull so far, according to Humberside police.

Mapping far-right riots in the UK (2)

Why are Muslims, immigrants, and other minority groups being targeted?

Muslims have borne the brunt of the attacks, but Black Britons and immigrants have also been targeted.

The feeling among many is that everyone in the country who is not white could be targeted.

In Stoke-on-Trent, a mosque was vandalised earlier in the week as part of the protest that turned violent on Saturday.

The causes of the riots are complex. There are explanations here and here. The Southport tragedy appears to have provided the far right with a “reason” to riot, but there are longer-term factors at play, such as the anti-migrant narratives adopted by several leading politicians.

Some British media outlets are asking if the far-right rioters have legitimate concerns about immigration.

A recent YouGov poll suggests 8 percent of Britons sympathise with the rioters.

What’s next?

Police and officials are telling the public that perpetrators of violence and abuse will be punished. Meanwhile, ethnic minority and migrant communities are becoming more fearful.

In a recent news conference, South Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield stated, “If you were there, we will find you and you will be held accountable for yesterday’s violence.”

Veteran Labour politician Diane Abbott said on X, “Nationwide anti-immigrant riots on a scale never seen before. Threatening life, property and our police force. We need to recall Parliament.”

On Wednesday, police say 100 more far-right gatherings could take place. They have deployed thousands of officers to avert possibleattacks on immigration solicitors and refugee centres.

Mapping far-right riots in the UK (2024)

FAQs

What is the reason for the riots in the UK? ›

Online lies and misinformation inflamed the situation and some key instigators used social media and messaging apps to spread hatred and call for protests at fixed times and places. The result was a series of violent flash mobs, spanning over several days, with racial and religious hatred the central animating motive.

What was the biggest riot in UK history? ›

The 1919 riots were one of the most severe incidents of unrest in 20th century Britain. Known as 'race riots', they came to national prominence via the newspapers of the day, making many aware of the presence of black and minority ethnic communities in Britain.

Are the UK riots over? ›

By August 5, sweeping arrests and counter-demonstrations by thousands of anti-racist locals and activists had put an end to most of the unrest that began on July 30, but the fear it provoked lingers on. "It feels like we've stepped back into the 1960s," Fulani said.

Are riots illegal in UK? ›

1 Riot.

(4)No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene. (5)Riot may be committed in private as well as in public places. (6)A person guilty of riot is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years or a fine or both.

What were the major causes of riots? ›

Historically, riots have occurred due to poverty, unemployment, poor living conditions, governmental oppression, taxation or conscription, conflicts between ethnic groups (race riot) or religions (e.g., sectarian violence, pogrom), the outcome of a sporting event (e.g., sports riot, football hooliganism) or frustration ...

What is the right to protest UK? ›

This means that every individual, regardless of cause, has the right to protest, march or demonstrate in a public space. Not only does every individual have this right but the police have a duty to retain from restricting this right unnecessarily and they must take measures to protect peaceful protests.

What was the worst riot in US history? ›

The beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers and their subsequent acquittal on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and excessive use of force triggered the Los Angeles Riots of 1992, which is still considered the worst race riots in American history.

What was the most violent riot in the world? ›

1947 – Partition riots, India and modern-day Pakistan and Bangladesh, the hardest hit region was the densely populated state of Punjab (today divided between India and Pakistan), death toll estimates between 500,000 and 2,000,000, the deadliest riots known to humankind.

Which country has the most riot? ›

A riot is a violent disturbance against public peace. Riots are a problem faced everywhere in the world. They are unpredictable and dangerous, and thousands of people die every year because of them. Syria has the highest number of riots in the world.

What is the largest protest in UK history? ›

By size
No.DateProtest
115 February 2003Stop the War
223 March 2019Put it to the People march
319 October 2019Let Us Be Heard
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How many people are needed for a riot UK? ›

A riot is defined as twelve or more people present together who used or threatened unlawful violence for a common purpose; and that the conduct of them was such as to cause a present person of reasonable firmness to fear for his/her personal safety.

What is the sentence for rioting in the UK? ›

Most people charged so far have been accused of violent disorder. Riot is a more serious charge which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

What speech is illegal in the UK? ›

Current law allows for restrictions on threatening or abusive words or behaviour intending or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress or cause a breach of the peace, sending another any article which is indecent or grossly offensive with an intent to cause distress or anxiety, incitement, incitement to racial ...

Is it illegal to swear at someone in the UK? ›

You could be arrested for swearing in the street. There are various offences which can be committed involving the use of threatening abusive words or behaviour.

What is illegal to view in UK? ›

Numerous types of content might get you in trouble online, and it is generally best to avoid any website or platform that is involved in the display, sharing, or creation of the following: Child pornography. Extreme or violent activity, including sexual activity. Revenge porn.

What was this the reason for the British blockade? ›

During the First World War, Britain intended to use its powerful navy to starve Germany and Austria-Hungary into submission. By maintaining a blockade of enemy ports it hoped to cut off supplies from the outside world.

Why did riots occurred in England due to food crisis? ›

Furthermore, many food riots were not solely concerned with the price of grain but were frequently related to issues of supply, of grain being exported out of a region during periods of scarcity and of farmers hoarding grain in order to create artificial shortages.

What is the Riot Act in England? ›

The British government, anxious to stop the protests, passed a law called the "Riot Act." It allowed public officials to break up gatherings of 12 or more people by reading aloud a proclamation, warning those who heard it that they must disperse within the hour or be guilty of a felony punishable by death.

Why were riots breaking out in England in response to these new machines? ›

Prompted by a decline in the prices of agricultural produce and wages, the introduction of threshing machines, and an influx of Irish labour, the rioters wished to restore their standard of living. Most of the 'Swing Riots' took place in rural south and south east England, but some took place elsewhere.

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