Why are there riots in the U.K. and what role did misinformation play?

Since the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, England, on July 29, riots and disorder have spread across the U.K. From the very start, they were often fueled by misinformation, misleading reports, and inflammatory online comments. After violence in Southport the day after the stabbing, there were disturbances in cities such as London, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Bolton, and Belfast. 

On Wednesday night, in response to a list of possible targets being shared on social media, thousands of anti-racism campaigners gathered in opposition. There were very few serious incidents across England, with Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley saying, "We put thousands of officers on the street, and I think the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we’ve seen."

However, disturbances did take place in Belfast, and police in Northern Ireland have requested additional officers from other parts of the U.K. to support them. 

Logically Facts has highlighted the role played by a dubious "news" website and the legal risks of spreading misinformation about the attacks. 

We have also fact-checked multiple examples of misinformation, including photos people have incorrectly claimed to be the suspect, claims over a machete-wielding man, and incorrect allegations that the suspect is an illegal immigrant. 

Here, we examine the extent of the violence, the misinformation claims surrounding the riots, and how U.K. authorities have responded.

Why have riots taken place in the U.K.? 

Three girls - Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar - died after a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event in the Merseyside town of Southport on July 29. A then-17-year-old was arrested and later charged with murder. 

Due to laws preventing the naming of children involved in crime, police and the media initially could not name the accused. The resulting information vacuum led to accusations of a cover-up and false information, including claims the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in a boat last year. Suspicious social media accounts, such as Channel3Now on X (formerly Twitter), and far-right influencers with large followings, such as Andrew Tate, were responsible for pushing misinformation.

Working within these restrictions, the police provided enough information to make it clear that the suspect was not an illegal immigrant and was born in Cardiff. However, by this point, the false information had irreversibly spread.

Hundreds of rioters descended on Southport the following night, with disturbances then spreading to London, Manchester, and various cities in England, alongside Belfast in Northern Ireland.

Polling suggests there is little support for the riots. YouGov found that 85 percent opposed the unrest, with seven percent supporting the violence, while only one-third supported the idea of wider peaceful protests. 

What is the difference between a protest and a riot?

The terms protest and riot, while sometimes used interchangeably in public discourse, have distinct legal, social, and practical implications.

A protest is a public demonstration expressing objection to policies, actions, or events. Protests are typically organized, peaceful, and lawful, aiming to highlight specific issues and drive change through visible, non-violent means. They can take various forms, including marches, sit-ins, vigils, and rallies. In the U.K., protests often involve prior planning and necessary permits.

Conversely, a riot involves violent, chaotic behavior by a crowd. Riots are usually spontaneous, unorganized, and marked by unlawful activities, including destruction of property, looting, and physical confrontations. Riots are characterized by aggressive behavior and physical violence, often erupting suddenly without prior organization.

Legally, protests and riots are treated very differently, with laws such as the Human Rights Act 1998 protecting the right to peaceful assembly. However, police do have the right to impose certain conditions on protests to safeguard the public. 

Riots are defined by the Public Order Act 1986 as a situation where 12 or more persons use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose, causing a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety. A riot is an indictable offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

What misinformation claims and narratives have we seen in relation to the riots and police response? 

During the Southport riots, a significant amount of misinformation circulated. One claim falsely linked an old video of Manchester police to the U.K. riots, alleging it showed police arresting riot participants. In reality, the video was from a May 14, 2024, police operation targeting suspected drug dealers.

Another misleading narrative involved a video that falsely claimed to show Muslim men on motorbikes blocking a road to confront far-right protesters in Walthamstow. This video was actually from a year earlier and depicted a group of bikers marking the death of a friend.

The police response to the Southport riots has also been marred by misinformation, complicating an already volatile situation. Various false claims have distorted police actions and contributed to the unrest.

A misleading claim about alleged two-tier policing shared on social media platforms (Sources: X/Facebook/Modified by Logically Facts)

Critics have raised concerns about "two-tier policing," alleging that law enforcement applies different standards to different groups, further fueling tension. 

For example, Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, has perpetuated the myth of two-tier policing. He labeled Prime Minister Keir Starmer as "Two-Tier Keir" on his own social media platform, suggesting an unequal application of the law.

These claims have been debunked by police officials and political leaders, who maintain that policing is conducted "without fear or favor" and that the notion of two-tier policing is baseless and dangerous.

Experts and independent commentators, as reported by The Independent and Yahoo News, have reinforced that the U.K.’s policing efforts aim to be fair and impartial, countering Musk’s and other similar claims.

Logically Facts has checked claims related to two-tier policing, including this misleading comparison made between a person arrested in relation to the riots, and another person arrested earlier this year in an entirely separate incident.

Other accusations emerged that the police were overly relaxed with rioters, especially those targeting the mosque in Southport during the first day of violence. Far-right influencers circulated selectively edited videos implying police passivity during the mosque assault. In reality, police efforts to protect the mosque and control crowds were substantial.

A further misleading narrative suggested that the police were intentionally managing information release to downplay the role of particular groups involved in the riots. Prominent far-right figures accused police and government officials of a cover-up.

This prompted police to clarify misinformation by releasing specific details, such as correcting the suspect's name and background, despite typically keeping suspects' names confidential when they are minors. The Liverpool Crown Court lifted reporting restrictions to mitigate the impact of misinformation and potential public disorder.

How have the police responded to the riots so far?

The police response to the riots has been extensive and multifaceted, trying to address both immediate violence and long-term issues.

Recognizing the need for a coordinated national response to the initial unrest, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the formation of a new National Violent Disorder Unit. The unit aims to enhance law enforcement’s ability to manage and mitigate large-scale public disturbances. High-level meetings between the Prime Minister and police chiefs have resulted in a strategy to approach the ongoing crisis involving the deployment of riot police, the use of tear gas, and the establishment of barricades to contain and disperse crowds.

The government also introduced emergency security measures to protect vulnerable communities, particularly mosques and other locations targeted by violence. This included deploying additional security personnel and establishing rapid response units to ensure the safety of these communities. 

Thousands of additional officers were deployed to key locations across the U.K. affected by the disorder on July 29, 2024. Public order reserves were placed on standby, prepared for rapid deployment to areas where new outbreaks of violence were anticipated, aiming to deter rioters and ensure public order.

Police officers themselves have become targets at points during the riots, facing physical attacks such as being pelted with bricks and fireworks. 

As of August 8, 2024, approximately 430 individuals have been arrested in connection with the riots. These arrests span multiple cities, including London, Manchester, and Hartlepool. The unrest has resulted in significant injuries, with at least 93 police officers reported injured during the clashes​.

How is the justice system responding to the riots?

Around 100 people who were arrested for incidences of disorder across the U.K. have already been charged.

Many of those who are guilty are likely to face heavy jail sentences. Some face allegations such as violent disorder, which can result in five years in prison. Other suspects could face charges of rioting, for which the sentence can reach 10 years. 

In some of the earliest cases heard at Liverpool Crown Court, sentences for violent disorder included three years, 30 months, and 20 months. As Callum May of the BBC pointed out, these already long sentences were shorter than they could have been had the men not pleaded guilty. 

The director of public prosecutions in England, Stephen Parkinson, has even raised the possibility in an interview with the BBC of prosecuting people for terrorism concerning the riots. Extradition is also being considered for those who have broken the law and are in another country. 

People have also been arrested and accused of stirring up racial hatred online. In a warning to those spreading misinformation online, Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley told Sky News, "Keyboard warriors abroad are not safe from the law."

What measures has the government taken, and what have they said about plans to introduce additional powers? 

The government said that thousands of extra police officers would be available for rapid deployment where needed, mosques would be offered emergency security, and facial recognition technology would be considered for use more widely across the country. 

Nearly 600 additional prison places are also being made available. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that anyone taking part in the riots would face the "full force of the law," pointing to sentences handed out in Liverpool to demonstrate his point. 

The government also vows to go after those who use social media to spread trouble.

Social media algorithms played a crucial role in amplifying false narratives. Even after debunking, the false suspect name "Ali Al-Shakati" trended on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. 

The role of social media in spreading misinformation prompted calls for stricter regulation and a faster rollout of new laws designed to police harmful online content.

While there was no announcement of any changes, Starmer directly addressed social media firms early in the violence, stating, "Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime, it’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere."

Science minister Peter Kyle has met with TikTok, Meta, Google and X to state that they have a responsibility to stop incitement and the spread of false information. 

Messaging service Telegram said it was removing calls for violence, stating, "Moderators are actively monitoring the situation and are removing channels and posts containing calls to violence. Calls to violence are explicitly forbidden by Telegram's terms of service."