Watchdog says police were unprepared for scale of riots

Police were unprepared for the scale of chaos that engulfed parts of Britain following the Southport knife attacks, a police watchdog has found.

Police intelligence had not adequately predicted the “rising tide of violent disorder”, according to a review of their response to Britain’s worst unrest in more than a decade.

Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cook praised the officers for their “extreme bravery and personal sacrifice” while protecting the public.

But he warned that it was “clear” that police had missed opportunities to prepare for widespread disorder, and that previous incidents involving “extreme nationalist sentiment” had been underestimated.

Babe King was followed by Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguirre. Fatal stabbing in Southport in July 2024The riot in the town was immediately followed by violent disorder throughout the country.

More than 600 arrests were made in the police response to the incident, described by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as a “far-right thuggery”. The mob is targeting mosques and residences of asylum seekers.

Review by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services warned that police intelligence should “thoroughly” consider a series of earlier incidents that were indicators of future unrest.

These include chaos near hotels housing asylum seekers Merseyside And lanelli Even in 2023 Violence during Armistice Day in London,

“Our assessment of these incidents suggests that the risks of disorder were greater than police anticipated,” the review said.

It also found that some forces had not fully acted on previous recommendations made following incidents of disorder, including the 2011 London riots.

“We should not repeat our recommendations,” the report said.

It said the system for transferring officers between forces to stretch resources was brought in “too late” during the riots, and there were also concerns that some officers were sent in regular uniform rather than riot gear. .

It said police officers were deliberately targeted by rioters, with several injured and some taken to hospital.

“The professionalism of those leading the response deserves credit,” Chief Inspector Cook said.

“But the systems and processes under which they operate need to change.”

The review recommended improving the ability of forces to respond to widespread violent disorder, mobilize public order and public security resources, and their support for officers and staff.

Chief Inspector Cook said, “There is a strong possibility that similar violence and disorder could happen again across the UK. The police service needs to be prepared to respond.”

The watchdog will publish another report in 2025 that will focus on how social media influenced the riots.