A dispersal notice has been authorised across Manchester city centre to assist police in dealing with protests, giving officers powers to seize items used in the commission of antisocial behaviour until 7 pm on Saturday. Ch Insp Natasha Evans stated that these powers are in place to facilitate peaceful protests while taking action against those intent on breaking the law. In related news, Northumbria police reported that ten individuals have been arrested for violent disorder and burglary following riots in Sunderland. The police chief warned that those involved should expect to face the full force of the law.
In response to the violence in Sunderland, hundreds of people gathered at Belfast city hall for an anti-racism rally to counter social media calls for anti-Islamic protests in Northern Ireland. Counter-protests also took place in Manchester, Bradford, and Liverpool, with the far-right facing off against anti-racism campaigners. The Muslim Council of Britain has raised concerns about the undercurrent of Islamophobic and anti-immigrant hate in the violent disorder and stressed the need for a different approach beyond law and order.
Politicians, including Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick, have condemned the violence, with Jenrick calling for the EDL to be considered for proscription. Labour leader Keir Starmer has suggested expanding the use of live facial recognition technology to tackle rioting, sparking criticism from civil liberties campaigners like Silkie Carlo. Former Home Secretary James Cleverly urged the government to support police efforts to maintain law and order and prevent further escalation.
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