Rioters on Facebook admit they don't know why they're out on streets (2024)

Far-right thugs who have taken to the streets of Britain have admitted they don't even know why they are carrying out the violent riots.

Community centres, charities and local businesses were targeted last week in shameful scenes that have blighted towns and cities on UK streets in the wake of last week's Southport stabbing attack.

Almost 400 people have been arrested as vehicles were set alight and shops looted by balacalva-clad mobs with hotels being housed by migrants and asylum seekers also being targeted.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmertoday chaired an emergency Cobra meeting and vowed to set up a 'standing army' of specialist officersto tackle what he has condemned as 'far-right thuggery'.

Tommy Robinson, his ally 'Danny Tommo', Reclaim party leader Laurence Fox and figures from hate group Patriotic Alternative have been among those pouring fuel on the flames with inflammatory posts on X, Telegram, Facebook and TikTok.

Yet some of those who have taken to the streets don't know why they are there and are asking what they are even protesting about.

In one Facebook post advertising a protest in Weymouth and Portland, one person asks 'what in particular are we protesting' or 'is it everything in general' to which someone replies: 'It's everything in general.'

In Hull, a picture of two young women loaded with supposedly looted goods of fake Crocs were said to have been heard to be boasting with glee that 'it's like Christmas'.

The Lush store in the city was left with smashed front windows and products littered outside the front door.

The retailer said its staff were 'devastated at what has happened to our beautiful shop in Hull and how our fellow retailers have also been treated'.

A spokesperson said: 'We are proud to be part of a multi-racial Britain and to be part of the wonderful, vibrant and diverse community of Hull.

'Our wonderful shop manager and team have worked tirelessly to get the shop ready to start trading again.

'I want to thank those that came to help with the clean-up, from contractors repairing our windows and doors, the cleaning team that worked through the night, to the community of Hull who have shared their well-wishes to our team.'

Humberside Police arrested 29 people after the 'mindless thuggery' on Saturday.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom McLoughlin has vowed 'more will follow' as the force combs through videos and photos that have been sent in.

'I can assure you more will follow as we continue to extensively view numerous clips and videos that have been sent into us as well as circulating on social media to further assist with multiple lines of enquiry,' he said.

While a woman with a United Kingdom flag draped over her shoulders says during one protest as she grasps a mini flag in her hand: 'Put it another way. When you've got the Titanic and they filled it with too many people, what happened? It sunk.'

In the video she snarls: 'And that's what is happening to England. We're sinking. Too many here.'

The Titanic sank on April 14, 1912, during its maiden voyage across the Atlantic when it hit an iceberg at full speed. More than 1,500 men, women and children were killed.

Hundreds of far-right thugs have been arrested during six days of escalating disorder, which have seen attacks on police and buildings set alight.

Sir Keir vowed rioters would 'regret' engaging in 'far-right thuggery' and promised those involved in unrest would 'face the full force of the law' as he addressed the nation on Sunday.

After the Cobra meeting today, the premier said that 'there are a number of actions that came out of the meeting'.

'The first is we will have a standing army of specialist public duty officers so that we will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them,' he said.

'The second is we will ramp up criminal justice. There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning.

'I have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved in the process who will feel the full force of the law.

'Thirdly, I have been absolutely clear that the criminal law applies online as well as offline. I am assured that that is the approach that is being taken.

'Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest, it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities.

'So the full force of the law will be visited on all those who are identified as having taken part in these activities.'

Sir Keir denied that 'two-tier policing' was being carried out in the UK.

He told broadcasters: 'There is no two-tier policing.

'There is policing without fear or favour – exactly as it should be, exactly what I would expect and require. So that is a non-issue.'

During the Cobra meeting, the PM 'paid tribute to the hard work of police officers over the past week and sent best wishes to those who have been injured protecting our streets', Downing Street said.

The talks were attended by Sir Keir, Deputy PM Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, Attorney General Richard Hermer, and Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

They met with senior police and prison service leaders, bosses from the National Crime Agency (NCA), and other top officials.

The PM's official spokesman told reporters: 'There have been hundreds of arrests and people are already being charged, and police will continue to update on the specifics in relation to progress or arrests and charging.

'The police are continuing to deploy additional resource around the country at strategic locations where necessary.

'The police, Home Office, DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) and NCA are working to tackle criminality online, to ensure people are prosecuted for online criminal activity. And they are working to tackle misinformation and bot activity.'

Downing Street warned that anyone whipping up violence online could face prison.

'I should be very clear that anyone who stokes this violence, whether on the internet or in person, can be prosecuted and face prison,' Sir Keir's official spokesman said.