Dawn raids launched on rioters as cops share CCTV to hunt down dozens of thugs and warn of more protests in days
DAWN raids were launched this morning to arrest suspected violent offenders with cops releasing CCTV images in a bid to hunt down dozens of thugs involved in riots.
Sir Mark Rowley, the chief of the Metropolitan Police, said his force had smashed its way into the homes of the “most violent” members of last weeks protests in Whitehall and branded them “criminal thugs”.
The head of Britain’s largest police force said it was “nonsense” these people are patriots and hailed a “show of unity from communities” from around the UK.
Meanwhile, police forces across the country have released CCTV stills in an appeal to find people involved with riots in the past week.
Violent disorder first erupted in Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death, before spreading to other towns and cities across the UK, causing injuries to officers and widespread damage.
Merseyside Police detectives issued images of 14 people who may have information following incidents of disorder in Merseyside.
Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: “It is vital that these people make themselves known as soon as possible, as we think they can assist our ongoing investigations.
“The communities of Southport and beyond were disgusted by the violence and damage caused last week and at the weekend.
“We are still working our way through information, images and footage as it comes in and we’ll continue to take action to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified.
“We have so far seen 42 people arrested, 15 charged and three jailed. There will be more in the coming days, and many people who are sitting comfortably will soon be getting a knock on their door.
“And you will see in coming days, the courts will act as swiftly as possible to jail those people who being violence, racism and hatred into our communities.
“To anyone intent on coming to Merseyside in the future I have the same message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts.”
Many of the men pictured can be seen wearing face coverings, but some faces are clearly visible.
Meanwhile, South Yorkshire police have published 21 pictures in connection with violent disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday.
It comes as the biggest police mobilisation in British history rolled on to the streets last night to combat planned carnage at 100 sites by far-right thugs.
Police had intelligence on a huge number of protests planned across the UK on Wednesday night following a week of riots.
However, after a massive planned police operation, it was mainly peaceful demonstrators who turned out and appeared to quash fears of further violent disorder.
All but two of the 43 forces in England and Wales were on alert for more demonstrations in the wake of the Southport tragedy, with 6,000 elite officers braced for chaos.
Banks of police riot vans were in position from 5pm as King Charles made a formal request to be kept updated on the evolving situation after thugs vowed to target scores of migrant centres.
Early hopes the violence may not develop were boosted, however, as the first planned demonstration scheduled for 1pm saw only two protesters out of hundreds expected turn out at Thompson Park in Burnley.
And in Brighton, counter-protesters outnumbered an anti-immigration group by about 100 to one.
Around 500 arrived to protect an asylum rights legal firm in Queens Road after just five thugs turned up to attempt to ransack it.
There were at least a dozen counter-protests held across the country overwhelming others attempting to fan the flames.
However, the government’s policing minister has warned there is intelligence more protests could happen in the next few days after concerns about violence last night did not materialise.
Dame Diana Johnson said: “I am cautious about what happened last night.
“It’s good that we didn’t see the level of disorder and criminality on our streets that we have in previous days, but obviously this is just the start.
“There is now further intelligence of events during the next few days, and we need to see what happens there.”
She did not say how many and where these events are planned.