Some police forces unprepared for summer riots, MPs find

Police forces were in several cases unprepared for the level of violence that broke out in riots after the murder of three children in Southport last summer, a report by MPs has found.
It left officers exposed to “significant risk”, the Home Affairs Committee said, in disorder that saw attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers and mosques.
However, the report said the policing response was “entirely appropriate” given the violence and criminality – with no evidence to suggest “two-tier policing”.
The police lead for the national response said the report “rightly praises the efforts” of officers and staff, adding the recommendations will be considered.
Disorder broke out across the country following the fatal stabbing of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga event in Southport in July 2024. Eight further children and two adults were also injured in the attack.

Source: BBC | Language: English