Britain on High Alert: Government Tackles Racist Riots and Social Media Misinformation

Britain is deploying thousands of specialised police to prevent potential racist riots after days of unrest linked to online misinformation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasizes strict justice for offenders, focusing on attacks primarily targeting Muslims and migrants. The government considers tightening regulations for social media companies to curb inciting content.

Britain is keeping thousands of specialised police on duty in case of racist rioting at the weekend and the government said it was considering tightening regulations around social media companies after days of unrest driven by online misinformation.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said extra police numbers and swift justice had deterred people he referred to as 'far-right thugs' since Wednesday, but that the authorities would stay on high alert for further trouble. Racist attacks and disorder have mostly targeted Muslims and migrants. Hotels housing asylum-seekers have had their windows smashed and mosques have been pelted with rocks.

Those involved in the riots could expect to be brought before the courts, Starmer said, noting that what he called 'significant sentences' had already been handed out. 'That is a very important part of the message to anybody who is thinking about getting involved in further disorder,' he told reporters during a visit to a police command centre in London.