Jakarta: Over the past week dozens of police officers were injured and shops, cars and homes damaged in disorder in the United Kingdom.

The violence erupted the night after three children were killed in Southport in a stabbing attack last Monday. This followed false rumours which spread online that a suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Over the weekend the prime minister condemned the riots as "far-right thuggery" and on Monday he vowed to "ramp up" the law to deal with the violence.
British Embassy in Jakarta release a statement from British Deputy Ambassador, Matthew Downing about violent disorder.

“In light of the violence and disorder that has taken place in a small number of locations in the UK, on behalf of the British Government, I want to publicly condemn this mindless thuggery and hooliganism, carried out by minority of people. I also want to reassure the people of Indonesia that visitors to the UK remain warmly welcome,” said Downing as stated from the Embassy release.

Downing added that Britain is a tolerant, open and multi-cultural country, and what you are witnessing does not represent British values.

“The UK Government has been clear that we will not, as a country, tolerate attacks on mosques, on Muslim communities or against anyone because of their religion or the colour of their skin,” Downing said.

The criminals who are carrying out these acts, and those who have incited them with hatred and disinformation online, will face the full force of the law.

Downing also emphasized the importance of relations between Indonesia and Britain. As the two countries mark our 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, the UK’s friendship with Indonesia will continue to thrive.

“I look forward to us strengthening and growing the political, cultural, educational and trade and investment relationship between our two countries,” said Downing.

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London: Nearly 400 people have been arrested after six days of riots in parts of England and Northern Ireland, police say.

On Monday evening police were attacked in Plymouth as they attempted to keep rival protesters apart, petrol bombs were thrown at officers in Belfast and police dealt with unrest in the east of Birmingham.

Over the past week dozens of police officers were injured and shops, cars and homes damaged in disorder in the UK. It erupted the night after three children were killed in Southport in a stabbing attack last Monday. This followed false rumours which spread online that a suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Over the weekend the prime minister condemned the riots as "far-right thuggery" and on Monday he vowed to "ramp up" the law to deal with the violence.

In Plymouth, police said on Monday night there had been a "level of violence" shown towards officers and a police van had been damaged.

"We are taking action against individuals who are intent on criminality," Devon and Cornwall police said, quoted from BBC.

Supt Russ Dawe added "several" officers had been injured. He said a number of arrests had been made for a "range of public order offences and assaults".

Speaking at a media briefing, Supt Dawes said he wanted to reassure the community the force was "fully resourced at this time, with a strong police presence".

Supt Dawe added that those intent on committing crimes and public order would be "dealt with robustly". He said a number of arrests had been made for a "range of public order offences and assaults".

In Birmingham on Monday evening, there were disturbances after hundreds of people gathered in the Bordesley Green area of the city following false reports that a far-right march had been planned there.

Palestinian flags were waved and anti-English Defence League chants were heard. While, a group of youths later broke away from the gathering and attacked several vehicles and a pub.

West Midlands Police released a statement late on Monday which said officers were investigating reports of an assault and damage to a pub.

The force said: "No arrests have been made at this stage but there were sporadic incidents and we are investigating reports of an assault, incidents of criminal damage to a pub on Stoney Lane, a car which had its windows smashed on Alcombe Grove, Stechford, and further criminal damage to a vehicle which had its tyres damaged on Belchers Lane, Bordesley Green’’.

"We are also investigating reports of a man who was in possession of an offensive weapon,” said West Midlands Police.

Ch Supt Richard North added: “Fortunately rumours of the significant protest activity in the city didn’t materialise. There were several sporadic incidents of criminality during the evening and we will work hard to arrest those responsible."

In South Belfast, PSNI officers came under attack as riot teams were deployed to Sandy Row. It follows a weekend of violence which saw businesses damaged after an anti-immigration protest in the city on Saturday.

On Monday, at least one petrol bomb and stones were thrown towards officers. Police were stood down just after midnight.

On Monday, a week on from the attack in Southport in Merseyside, crowds gathered for a vigil there to remember the three young girls who were killed.

(FJR)