UK riots latest: Thousands take part in anti-racism protests; petrol bomb thrown at mosque in 'racially motivated' incident (2024)

That's all our coverage on this story for now.

Thousands of anti-racism protesters have descended on cities across the country - outnumbering anti-immigration demonstrators for the fourth day in a row.

Before we go, here's a recap of the main updates from the last 24 hours:

• A court in Liverpool has heard how a 16-year-old stole £19,000 worth of vapes during riots in the city centre last week;
• A petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Northern Ireland in an incident described by police as racially motivated. The mosque in Newtownards, County Down, was attacked at around 1am, with graffiti sprayed on its front door;
• Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor, has been remanded in custody ahead of a crown court appearance over publishing written material intended to stir up racial hatred;
• Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned the impact of the riots on the judicial system will be felt for years to come;
• The parents of six-year-old Bebe King, who was killed in the Southport stabbings, have paid tribute to their "precious daughter" and revealed her older sister saw the attack and escaped.

Police have been granted enhanced stop and search powers in part of Yeovil tonight.

Avon and Somerset Police said the powers allow officers to search people who they consider "at risk of violence", without reasonable suspicion.

The force said the technique has already resulted in arrests being made this evening.

It comes after it reported a small number of people had gathered in the grounds of a church for a peaceful demonstration.

Four men have been charged following the riots in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough last week.

Cleveland Police said a 24-year-old man had been charged with burglary over the unrest in Middlesbrough last Sunday.

Another 24 year-old was charged with violent disorder and a 27-year-old was charged with assault by beating of an emergency worker.

A 19-year-old was charged with violent disorder in relation to the riots in Hartlepool on 31 July.

All four men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court on Monday.

The impact of the riots could be felt for months or years to come, the justice secretary has warned.

Writing a piece for The Observer, Shabana Mahmood said the justice system has shown it can act swiftly, but its work has been made more difficult due to the state it was left in by the Conservatives.

Courts have been working extended hours to deal with rioters who were charged by police during the week-long disorder.

"The justice system has shown it can rise to this challenge. Should further criminality and disorder ensue, we will continue to deliver justice, until the last offender languishes in one of our jails," Ms Mahmood said.

"But we must make no mistake. Rising to this challenge has been made harder by doing so within the justice system we inherited from the Conservatives."

She pointed out that there are "record crown court backlogs" and prisons "close to overflowing".

"The impact of these days of disorder will be felt for months and years to come. They make the job of rebuilding the justice system harder," she added.

The parents of a six-year-old girl who was killed in the Southport stabbings have paid tribute to their "precious daughter" and revealed her older sister saw the attack and escaped.

Bebe King died along with nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, after the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the Merseyside town on 29 July.

The deaths of the three girls sparked anti-immigration protests and riots across UK towns and cities after false information circulated on social media that the attacker was an illegal migrant.

In a statement issued by Merseyside Police, Bebe's parents Lauren and Ben said their daughter "was full of joy, light, and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind, and spirited girl we adore".

They revealed their nine-year-old older Genie witnessed the attack and managed to escape, saying: "She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her.

You can read more about this story here...

Photos of three men have been released by police as they continue to investigate the disorder that broke out in Whitehall last week.

Metropolitan Police said more than 100 arrests were made at the protest on Wednesday 31 July.

However, in the days that followed, a huge amount of footage and other evidence has been reviewed to try to identify outstanding suspects, it added.

It urged people who recognise any of the three men to get in touch or contact Crimestoppers.

Sky News understands Sir Keir Starmer has cancelled his holiday as protests continue to take place across the country.

Thousands of police officers have remained on duty today in case violence flared again.

But, for a fourth dayin a row, anti-racism protesters far outnumbered far-right demonstrators in several areas.

A dispersal order has been enforced in Liverpool city centre today and will remain in place for 48 hours.

It also covers parts of Everton, Kensington, Vauxhall and Kirkdale.

Merseyside Police said it had been introduced "following incidents of disorder".

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Chris Taylor said: "This order will give officers on the ground the ability to direct people suspected of being involved in or planning criminality to leave the designated area for a period of 48 hours, and to arrest them if they return."

A Section 60 order, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers, is already in place in the area.

"Both orders are extra tools at our disposal to help keep the public safe, and highly visible police patrols will enforce them in the next 48 hours," Mr Taylor said.

A total of 779 people have been arrested over rioting, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has said.

Of those, 349 have been charged, it added.

Suspected rioters have continued to appear in court today, including the wife of a Tory councillor who has been accused of publishing written material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Lucy Connolly, 41, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning and did not enter a plea.

The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for "spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale".

Across the country, teams have been investigating "hundreds of leads".

"This abhorrent activity didn't happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn't mobilise spontaneously," said Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime.

"It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport.

"They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps."

The leader of Newcastle City Council has said he is "angry" that some residents were made to "feel unsafe" by "right wing agitators".

In a post on Facebook, Councillor Nick Kemp praised police for their work in the city, and urged people to stay "united".

Protests organised by Enough Is Enough have been taking place today, but passed without any violence or disorder breaking out.

"Northumbria Police have done a phenomenal job in preparing for today and their swift actions throughout the entire week have acted as a deterrent," Cllr Kemp said.

"Across the country, we have seen right wing agitators looking to divide our city and sow seeds of hatred. Today, Newcastle showed them what we are about.

"However, I am angry that they have made some of our residents feel unsafe. That their actions have caused doubt among those who call our city home."

You can read his full statement below...