Even on Sunday, major unrest broke out in several places in the United Kingdom. Among other things, in the city of Rotherham, masked, anti-immigrant demonstrators smashed several windows on a hotel that had been used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Nearly 150 people have been arrested so far in connection with the unrest, and more arrests are expected to be made, the police write in a press release.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that he could "guarantee" that right-wing extremist rioters would regret participating in the violent unrest.
"We will do what it takes to bring these thugs to justice," he says in a statement.
Promises tough action
The violence is the worst the UK has seen since the summer of 2011, when widespread riots took place after the police killed a man in north London.
British authorities promise tough action against the rioters behind the recent unrest.
Violence will not be tolerated, says Home Secretary Diana Johnson.
Set on fire
The violent protests started after three girls were killed in a stabbing in Southport on Monday. Rumors about the suspected perpetrator's background fueled the heated atmosphere, mainly among right-wing extremist groups, which linked the knife attack to immigration. The detained 17-year-old was born in the UK with parents from Rwanda.
On Saturday evening, several anti-immigrant demonstrations turned violent. Buildings, cars, and trash cans were set on fire, and at least two police officers were taken to hospital.
In Liverpool, nearly a thousand right-wing extremists clashed with counter-demonstrators, and a large police contingent was called in to keep the groups apart.
Stones and beer bottles flew through the air, and several demonstrators lit fireworks and shot firecrackers at the police, reports BBC.
Similar scenes unfolded in Hull, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast.
