Cobra meeting to be held by No 10 after weekend of growing violence

The prime minister is expected to discuss ways to swiftly prosecute those involved in the riots at the Cobra meeting, as Good Morning Britain Correspondent Louisa James reports

Downing Street is expected to hold a Cobra emergency response meeting on Monday after “thugs” tried to storm hotels housing asylum seekers on the sixth day of escalating disorder.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowed rioters would “regret” engaging in “far-right thuggery” and promised those involved in the unrest would “face the full force of the law”, as he addressed the nation on Sunday.

Monday’s meeting is due to involve relevant ministers and police representatives who will discuss the response in the coming days to ensure there is no repeat of the violent scenes.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the police going after those who took part in violent riots would have her full support.

She told Sky News: “It’s a total disgrace and there has to be a reckoning. Those individuals who are involved in the disorder need to know that they will pay a price.”

The Home Office announced on Sunday that mosques would be offered greater protection under a new “rapid response process” designed to quickly tackle the threat of further attacks on places of worship.

A large crowd gathered outside a mosque in Middlesbrough on Sunday night and others have also been targeted.

In Rotherham, anti-immigration rioters smashed the windows of the Holiday Inn Express before starting fires.

At least ten officers were injured, including one who was knocked unconscious, South Yorkshire Police confirmed later, saying one person had already been arrested and others involved should “expect us to be at their doors very soon”.

Masked men hurled lengths of wood, chairs and bottles, and sprayed fire extinguishers at officers outside after some 700 people gathered.

A similar incident played out at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth into Sunday evening, where reports suggested asylum seekers were also being housed.

People threw projectiles, smashed windows, started fires and targeted officers, Staffordshire Police said.

A group of rioters in Middlesbrough smashed the windows of houses and cars, and threw objects at officers on Sunday afternoon, with one seen shouting a racial slur and another telling police: “It’s our f****** country.”

There were 43 arrests, and significant damage was caused to the Crown Court and the University, Cleveland Police said.

Greater Manchester Police issued a Section 60AA order amid disturbances in Bolton, requiring people to “remove face coverings used to disguise or conceal their appearance”.

Violence has broken out in several parts of England and Northern Ireland following the killing of three young girls in Southport last week.

Protests were held in London, Aldershot, Hartlepool, and Manchester last week.

More than 50 police officers were also hurt in the first wave of violence seen in Southport the day after the stabbings.

A chair is thrown at police officers as trouble flares during an anti-immigration protest outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. / Credit: PA

The widespread unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to Sir Keir’s premiership, with MPs including Ian Byrne and Dame Priti Patel saying Parliament should be recalled as it was in 2011 so the Commons could debate the riots.

The former first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf said the army should be called in to stop “thugs” causing disorder on the streets.

Ministers have so far insisted police have the resources required to respond and have rejected calls to bring in the army.

Sir Keir said he wanted those who “feel targeted because of the colour of their skin” to know “this violent mob do not represent our country”.

In his message to rioters, the prime minister said: “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.”