The current footage comes from one of the riots, in Liverpool, and was filmed using the police’s body camera. The police can be seen moving slowly forward on a street full of debris, when they are suddenly attacked with some form of fireworks.
“Retreat!” you hear how the police shout, whereupon they start backing up. The fireworks continue to go off, while the police move backwards. You can also hear glass breaking in the background.
Biggest riots in over ten years
The riots in Great Britain are described as the biggest in over ten years and were triggered by the bloody knife attack on July 29. Three girls between the ages of six and nine are killed in the town of Southport in England, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. A 17-year-old boy was arrested and is formally charged with murder.
The day after the crime, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the crime scene and later that evening a demonstration for the victims degenerated. Rumors about the suspect’s background spread, among other things in right-wing extremist groups, which blame the knife attack on immigration. The 17-year-old was born in Great Britain with parents from Rwanda.
Hundreds of people have been arrested in several cities in connection with the unrest, according to British police.
Several sentenced to prison
The British government has held several crisis meetings and, among other things, 6,000 special police officers have been deployed to curb the riots. In an address to the nation on Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said everything would be done to bring the rioters to justice.
– I guarantee that those of you who participate, either directly or by whipping up the mood online, will regret it, Starmer said in the speech.
On Tuesday, a 19-year-old man became the first to receive a prison sentence related to the riots. Subsequently, three more men have been sentenced to prison terms for involvement in the riots. Around 400 people have been arrested and more sentences are expected.