With Police preparing for riots in at least 30 locations across the country this evening, with some in this region , including the offices of immigration lawyers, and hotels housing asylum seekers, Greater Manchester Police have issued a message of reassurance to the community
“ We understand the uncertainty and worry that people are feeling about current tension, much of which is being fuelled by the widespread sharing of misinformation online which is sometimes being created with the purpose of creating fear and inciting intolerable hate.
Our advice to communities is to remain calm and to try to go about your every-day life. GMP continues to monitor the intelligence to ensure we can respond effectively to any incidents of disorder. And, if we believe there needs to be specific information about anything emerging we will tell people and offer advice.
We are heavily resourced, and we have specialist officers and staff who are working around the clock to tackle these issues and ensure our communities are supported. We are speaking to community leaders and elected representatives regularly to make sure they are appraised of all planned protests known to GMP. People living safely and peacefully, do not deserve to be frightened: we are here to protect you, and we will use all resources and capabilities to do so.
Our message is clear: there is no place for hate in Greater Manchester. If you come here to willingly participate in disorder and crime, we will be at your door, ensuring you answer for your crimes. We will police without fear or favour and use all resources and powers available to ensure those involved in this disgraceful behaviour are dealt with robustly.
GMP have so far made 26 arrests for a variety of offences including assault, violent disorder, possession of weapons, and 20 have been charged. There is work to be done they add “and we will not relent until we have systematically located and dealt with all those responsible.”
Nearly 6,000 police officers have been mobilised across the country including more than 2,000 riot police.
Among possible targets identified by the police are refugee shelters, immigration centres and lawyers’ homes.
Yasmin Qureshi, the Labour MP for Bolton South and Walkden,said on X that
“I’m in touch with GM Police who are prepared and have plans in place.
I urge residents to rise above any attempts at intimidation & thuggery.”
Earlier there had been unfounded rumours of an avid attack in Bolton Town Centre which was not true the MP added
In Manchester City Centre Lib Dem Councillor Alan Good wrote on X
“We have confirmed with senior staff at @ManCityCouncil that GMP colleagues **do not** have intelligence to substantiate rumours of riots or disorder around Ancoats and NQ this evening.“
Meanwhile on Merseyside Derek Drummond, 58, has been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport last Tuesday
