Businesses closed early Wednesday morning due to fears of further riots. Judges began handing out prison sentences, which the government hopes will end days of violence by far-right extremists across England.
Derek Drummond, aged 58, punched a Southport policeman in the face last week and was part a group that chanted racist chants near a mosque. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court.
Two other men, Liam Riley (40), and Declan Geiran (29), were sentenced to prison for 20 and 30 months respectively in the same hearing. They had been involved in violent acts last week in Liverpool.
The “tip of iceberg” according to prosecutors, the prison sentences for the three men who appeared in court together at the first major sentencing after the unrest that swept through the country were only the beginning.
Ministers have promised swift justice for those who take part in violence.
Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, said that a case of alleged terrorist activity is being “actively considered” in light of widespread disorder throughout the country.
Pubs, theatres and offices in the UK, especially those areas that experienced severe unrest over the weekend, were forced to close early as a result of these sentences.
The government has called for calm and deployed thousands of additional police officers after an online list of possible targets, including residential addresses of far-right extremists, was widely shared.
The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir starmer, has announced that extra police protection will be provided at the sites and that the sentences handed down on Wednesday are evidence of “swift actions” taken by authorities against the rioters.
The Empire Theatre in Sunderland cancelled Wednesday’s shows after the riots that took place on Friday. Middlesbrough pubs, where there was unrest Sunday, also closed early. Newcastle, Brighton and other cities that have not yet experienced any major disorder also closed their bars, pubs and shops.
Walthamstow, a London suburb that was on the list of targets for the attack, saw businesses such as pubs and gyms close or not open.
Sunderland University and Middlesbrough University campuses also closed early.
On Wednesday morning, retailers held an emergency meeting with government and police officials to exchange intelligence and offer advice about the riots. Meanwhile, banks, media companies, and professional service firms advised their staff to work from home in certain areas.
Grant Thornton has 21 offices in the United States. It said that it closed its premises and instructed staff to work remotely where they had been “advised” of a “high likelihood of protests”, and a potential “violent order”.
Messages of assurance were also sent by the police forces and mayors in their respective metro areas.
Police in Greater Manchester said that the force had “heavily-resourced” staff, including specialists, working round the clock.
It added: “People who live in peace and safety do not deserve fear.” We are here to protect and will use our resources and abilities to do so.
Crown Prosecution Service officials said they were “working flat out” to bring in more cases. They also promised that those found guilty of riot will be “sentenced to prison for a very long time”.
Ministers of the government hope that harsh sentences will deter would-be rioters.
In announcing the sentences, Judge Andrew Menary KC stated: “Those who intentionally participate in such disorder causing injury, damages and fear to community will be punished with sentences that are designed to discourage others from similar activities.”
He said that the community’s grief over three girls who died in a Taylor Swift dance class held in Southport was “effectively hijacked” and that misinformation about the incident had been used to “pretext for widespread disorder”.
The prosecutor Christopher Taylor informed the court that Drummond was among the approximately 1,000 people involved in the disorder outside of the mosque in Southport which lasted for several hours.
Drummond turned himself in and admitted he was a fool. He admitted to the charges of violent disorder, and assaulting a member of an emergency service.
Menary claimed he was credited for a guilty plea that came early, but noted Drummond had been present “at a fairly early stage”, and participated in the disorder with “willingness and enthusiasm”.
Jonathan Egan, senior district crown prosecutor, CPS Mersey Cheshire said: “Let the result of today serve as a reminder to all who commit criminality on our street — you will always pay for it.”
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