Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that social media posts might fuel the riots in Britain.
Violence on the Up Since Southport Attacks
Riots have taken place across England and Northern Ireland following the Southport attacks that occurred last week.
Sixth Day of Unrest With No Stop in Sight
The riots and unrest have continued for six days now, and thus, an emergency Cobra meeting was called in Downing Street.
145 People Arrested and Counting
More than 145 people have been arrested in connection with disorderly conduct, burning of possessions, assault, attacks and rioting.
PM’s Meeting to Show Full Support Didn’t Scare Anyone
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently held a meeting to show his full support for police and emergency workers to get the riots under control.
Mosques Were Next With a Bullseye
Yet, the violence has escalated, with a mosque in Middlesbrough being targeted on Sunday night and others as well.
Anti-Immigration Rioters on the Loose
Anti-immigration riots have also broken out in Rotherham, where windows of a Holiday Inn Express were smashed before fires were started.
Home Secretary Asked About Foreign Entities Fuelling Fire
Ms Cooper was asked about the allegations that foreign entities are spreading false information about the riots on social media and said that the government was aware.
Social Media Allows for Disinformation to Spread
She acknowledged that the government knows that disinformation can be increased and spread to a broader audience online, saying, “there can be amplification of social media activity online.”
Government Urged to Target Accounts Spreading False Information
Lord Walney, the government advisor on political violence and disruption, has urged the government to take prompt action against accounts spreading false information.
Intelligence and Security Sources Need More Resources
Walney recommended in his recent review that the government needs to provide more resources to intelligence and security sources.
Foreigners Pretending to Be Brits to Cause Trouble
He has said, “You’ll have troll factories in places like Russia and Iran full of Russian and Iranian nationals pretending to be Brits with extreme views on the far right or the far left, whose sole purpose is to create disinformation and fan it.”
Focus Shifted to” Local Groups and Organisations”
The Home Secretary spoke to Sky News, stating that the government is focusing their attention on “local groups and organisations” at the moment.
Local Looters Will Be Found
They are also interested in “those fuelled by far right extremists and those who are local looters who came to join in and committed crimes.”
Anyone Involved in the Unrest Will Face Consequences
Ms Cooper has clarified that the government is out to find all involved and will hold them accountable for their actions.
“If It’s a Crime Offline, It’s a Crime Online.”
She even mentioned that those creating tension from afar are not safe and will be prosecuted, saying, “If it’s a crime offline, it’s a crime online.”
Shadow Home Secretary Criticised Government
The shadow home secretary, James Cleverly, has criticised the government, saying that they should have acted more quickly.
Cobra Meeting Should Have Been Called Earlier
He said he would have called for an emergency Cobra meeting much earlier and that the government needs to be “more agile, more decisive.”
Do the Time for the Crime
Ms Cooper has said there will be a “reckoning” after the unrest across England, and anyone involved will “pay the price.”
“We Cannot Stand for This”
The government has given the police its full support to pursue offenders, from those who joined in at the last minute to those who are more serious offenders. “We simply cannot stand for this,” said Ms. Cooper.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Martin Suker.