Now 900 rioters are held in police swoops: Prosecutors warn of stiffer sentences for street yobs as... (original) (raw)

The number of rioters and agitators arrested by police has hit more than 900, it was confirmed tonight.

There have been 927 arrests and 466 charges across the country so far, a spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said.

The astonishing figures came as the Director of Public Prosecutions warned the worst offenders they could face up to ten years in jail.

Stephen Parkinson, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the number of offenders sent to court was expected to enter a 'new phase' to include 'more serious charges with stiffer penalties'.

The offence of riot is set out in the Public Order Act 1986, which replaced a previous common law offence.

Over 900 rioters and agitators have now been arrested by police, it was confirmed tonight. Pictured: Riot police hold back protesters in Southport

An anti-immigration protest in Rotherham turns into disorder as demonstrators set objects on fire

A total of 466 charges have been brought across the country, the National Police Chiefs' Council said

The Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson warned the worst offenders they could face up to ten years in jail

The Act says it can apply 'where 12 or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose'.

Many of those who took part in violent scenes around the country who have so far reached the courts were charged with the lesser offence of 'violent disorder', which carries up to five years' imprisonment.

'We warned of the consequences and we will deliver those consequences,' Mr Parkinson told the Sunday Times. 'It's not about exacting revenge, it's about delivering justice.'

So far the longest sentence handed down to a rioter has been three years.

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy has become the first child to be convicted for his part in violent disorder in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday morning as part of a round of early-morning raids across the region.

He appeared at South Tyneside Youth Court on Saturday where he admitted one charge of violent disorder and the burglary of a business, after stealing from a vape shop. He will next appear at the court on Thursday.

Separately, a 15-year-old boy from Toxteth was charged with burglary in relation to disorder which took place in Liverpool city centre on August 3.

The boy was remanded in custody to appear at Merseyside Youth Court later today.

Among other new developments, Staffordshire Police said three men and a woman were charged following violent disorder in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, and Tamworth last weekend.

Police clash with protesters at a 'Unity Rally' in Crawley on August 9

LIVERPOOL: Protesters from two separate demonstrations clash outside the Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam Mosque

Far-right activists burn a vehicle during riots in Sunderland on August 2

Police arrest a masked rioter wearing a balaclava in Sunderland. So far the longest sentence handed down to a rioter has been three years

The force said Darren Woodley, 55, Cameron Bell, 23, and Kyle Barber, 24, all from Tamworth, had been charged with violent disorder.

Tyler Marchese, 21, of Burslem, has been charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

All four are due to appear at Cannock Magistrates' Court later today.

Avon and Somerset Police said Jamie Easterbrook, 43, had been charged with committing violent disorder after he was arrested at his Bristol home on Saturday night. He is due before magistrates in the city later today.

Widespread rioting by far-Right mobs erupted in the wake of the Southport knife attack on July 29 which left three young girls dead. False rumours spread on social media blamed a Muslim small-boat migrant for the attack.

Specialist police teams are hunting social media agitators who incited riots online.

Regional organised crime units are investigating hundreds of leads across a range of social media sites, senior officers told the Sunday Telegraph.

ROTHERHAM: People set objects on fire in streets around a hotel accommodating asylum seekers. Widespread rioting by far-Right mobs erupted in the wake of the Southport knife attack on July 29 during which three young girls were killed

NEWCASTLE: Demonstrators in Newcastle take part in a Stand Up to Racism protest

Police surround a hotel in Rotherham accommodating asylum seekers as far-right thugs surround the building

Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said the 'abhorrent' violence did not take place 'spontaneously'.

'It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport,' he said.

'They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people's doorsteps.'

Mr Haward added: 'Anyone who has been a part of this appalling behaviour should be aware that we have specialist officers from the regional organised crime unit network monitoring content and working at pace to identify you.

'Online crimes have real-world consequences, and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence.'