A recent review by His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed that UK police forces were inadequately prepared for the scale of violent disorder that erupted across the country after the Southport knife attacks in July 2024. The attacks, which claimed the lives of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, were followed by widespread riots, described as the worst unrest in the UK in over a decade.
The review criticized police intelligence for failing to anticipate the “rising tide of violent disorder,” with incidents of far-right nationalist sentiment underestimated in the lead-up to the riots. Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke commended officers for their “immense bravery and personal sacrifice” in protecting the public but stressed that significant failures in preparation were evident.
Missed Warnings and Rising Violence
The review pointed to several missed indicators that should have prompted better preparation. These included earlier unrest near hotels housing asylum seekers in Merseyside and Llanelli in 2023 and violence during Armistice Day in London.
“Our assessment suggests that the risks of disorder were greater than the police believed,” the report stated. It added that some forces had failed to act on recommendations issued after the 2011 London riots, leading to a repeated cycle of inadequate responses.
Following the Southport stabbings, riots spread rapidly, with more than 600 arrests made as violent crowds targeted mosques and accommodation housing asylum seekers. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the events as “far-right thuggery.”
Operational Challenges During the Riots
The review highlighted operational issues that hampered police efforts, including delays in implementing systems to move officers between forces and the deployment of officers in regular uniforms instead of riot gear. Officers were deliberately targeted by rioters, leading to multiple injuries and hospitalizations.
Chief Inspector Cooke acknowledged the professionalism of police leadership during the riots but emphasized the need for systemic reforms.
“The systems and processes they work under need to change,” he said.
Recommendations for Future Preparedness
The watchdog outlined several recommendations to strengthen police preparedness for widespread violence and disorder, including:
* Enhancing the ability to respond to large-scale riots.
* Improving the mobilisation of public safety resources.
* Providing better support for officers and staff involved in riot control.
“There is every possibility that similar violence and disorder could reoccur across the UK. The police service needs to be ready to respond,” Chief Inspector Cooke warned.
The Role of Social Media
The report noted the influence of social media during the riots and announced plans to release a further report in 2025 examining how digital platforms contributed to the spread of unrest.
