The British government is under increasing pressure to deal with widespread riots in several English cities after a stabbing incident killed three young girls at a dance school.
The unrest, which is considered the worst in the country for 13 years, was sparked by the spread of rumors and misinformation about the background and motives of the suspect.
The demonstrations, organized by far-right anti-immigration activists, have led to violent clashes with counter-protesters and police forces struggling to control the situation.
About 90 people were arrested in different parts of the country, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Masked protesters in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, smashed the windows of a hotel used to house asylum seekers, further escalating tensions.
Some of the protests saw rocks and bottles thrown at police, as well as looting and burning of shops.
The British government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has pledged to take tough measures to contain the violence, with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood saying the justice system was ready to swiftly sentence those involved, and Security Secretary Diana Johnson saying the riots would not go unpunished.
Starmer said “thugs” had exploited the stabbing incident to spread hatred, vowing to apply the law strictly to anyone found to be involved in the violence, and stressing that the government supports the police in taking all necessary measures to keep the streets safe.
The incidents, which have raised concerns about rising anti-immigration rhetoric in Britain, come just weeks after Starmer took office, putting his government in a difficult test in maintaining social stability in the country.
Shocking classification for Britain in the Global “Misery Index “