Keir Starmer announces violent disorder unit after Southport riot

Sir Keir Starmer held an emergency press conference at No 10 after vowing “action will be taken” following “violent disorder” in parts of England in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

The prime minister summoned police chiefs to Downing Street on Thursday afternoon following scenes of unrest in London, Hartlepool and Manchester overnight, while a demonstration in Aldershot saw a tense stand-off with riot police.

In London, more than 100 people were arrested after protesters in Whitehall launched beer cans and glass bottles at police and threw flares at the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

The riots followed the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport on Monday. A 17-year-old boy has appeared in court today charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, in relation to the attack.

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