"People in this country have a right to be safe."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the UK in the wake of the racist riots across the country.
Following the horrific stabbings in Southport in July 2024, far-right thugs have been targeting Muslim and ethnic communities.
These riots have broken out in several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, and Bristol.
Rioters have recently attacked a Holiday Inn in Rotherham, where asylum seekers were staying, starting a fire in the premises and breaking windows.
Sir Keir Starmer asserted that perpetrators would face legal consequences for their actions.
He said: “Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.
“The police will be making arrests, individuals will be held on remand and charges and convictions will follow.
“I guarantee, you will regret taking part in this disorder whether directly or whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.
“This is not protest. It is organised violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”
Addressing the attack in Rotherham, Sir Keir continued:
“Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham.
“Marauding gangs intent on law-breaking or worse, windows smashed, fires set ablaze, residents and staff in absolute fear.
“There is no justification – none – for taking this action and all right-minded people should be condemning this sort of violence.
“People in this country have a right to be safe and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques, other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the streets, wanton violence alongside violent rhetoric.
“So no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is. Far-right thuggery.
“To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be.
“I want you to know that this violent mob do not represent our country and we will bring them to justice.
“Our police deserve our support as they tackle any and all violent disorder that flares up.
“Whatever the apparent cause or motivation, we make no distinction.
“Crime is crime and this government will tackle it.”
? BREAKING: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s full address to the nation about the riots on Britain’s streets pic.twitter.com/kluETspjXT
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) August 4, 2024
Sir Keir Starmer’s words came after a violent attack in Southport resulted in the deaths of three young girls.
Several more children and adults were also injured in the incident.
Seventeen-year-old Axel Rudakubana has been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
The BBC subsequently removed a 2018 Doctor Who-themed advert which starred him for Children in Need.
In Hull, a racist mob violently dragged an Asian man out of a car.
They hurled racial slurs at him and mounted a shopping trolley onto the front of the car.
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