UK riots halted by police, communities but country remains on alert
(VOVWORLD) - British police remained on alert on Thursday after a heavy security presence, rapid arrests and displays of unity by people across Britain on Wednesday prevented a repeat of widespread rioting involving racist attacks targeting Muslims and migrants.
 A shop is set on fire in a riot in Sunderland, the UK on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images/ VNA) |
After police deployed in force and thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets on Wednesday evening, threats of widespread gatherings by far-right anti-immigration groups did not materialise.
But the government said it was still cautious after days of riots triggered by false online posts wrongly identifying the suspected killer of three young girls in a July 29 knife attack in Southport, northwest England, as an Islamist migrant.
More than 480 people have been arrested across the country so far, with nearly 150 charged.