← Back to House of Commons Debates
Violent Disorder
02 September 2024
Lead MP
Yvette Cooper
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Community Security
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Yvette Cooper raised concerns about violent disorder in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Yvette Cooper, addressed the House regarding violent disorder that occurred earlier in the summer. She expressed condolences to families affected by recent incidents, including those killed in Southport and during Notting Hill carnival. The Minister highlighted criminal attacks on police officers, places of worship, community buildings, and businesses across several towns and cities, emphasising that these actions were not protests but thuggery and crime. A national violent disorder programme was launched to strengthen policing capabilities and intelligence sharing among forces. Over 40,000 officer shifts were worked with more than 6,600 public order officers deployed on a single day. Additionally, the Crown Prosecution Service made swift arrests and charges against over 1,280 individuals involved in violent disorder. The Minister also outlined plans to enhance policing infrastructure, counter extremism, strengthen online safety measures, and support affected communities through compensation schemes.
James Cleverly
Con
Braintree
Question
Does the Home Secretary now see that her Minister's comments during riots, seemingly making excuses for armed thugs who intimidated the media, undermine the Government’s credibility? Does she also recognise the delay in holding a Cobra meeting until almost a week after these events started was a mistake?
Minister reply
The minister did not provide specific answers to these questions but emphasised the government's determination to address violent disorder swiftly and effectively. She acknowledged the ongoing work on policing infrastructure, counter-extremism measures, and support for affected communities.
James Cleverly
Con
Braintree
Question
Does she accept that any perception of treating the same crime differently based on race, religion or community increases tension rather than reduces it? Can she inform the House whether her Department will continue a review into police use of force?
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the need for even-handedness but did not provide specific responses to these questions. She emphasised ongoing work and commitments to address violent disorder effectively.
James Cleverly
Con
Braintree
Question
Asked about the strategic reserve, referred to as a 'standing army', and criticised the weak infrastructure left behind by previous governments. He also questioned the delay in setting up a Cobra meeting during riots and asked for information on police use of force review.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the need to strengthen central co-ordination and cited efforts made to set up strategic reserves faster than before. Rejected claims that recent actions undermined police credibility, citing previous instances under his leadership where such undermining occurred.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Complimented the response to riots and asked about solutions for rehabilitating young people involved in violent disorder.
Minister reply
Stressed the importance of preventing young people from getting drawn into violence, mentioning the Young Futures programme and online radicalisation issues.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Expressed support for police actions during riots and called for urgent appointment of an independent adviser on Islamophobia.
Minister reply
Agreed with the need to challenge Islamophobia and mentioned ongoing work by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Patrick Hurley
Lab
Southport
Question
Expressed strong condemnation of the violence and disorder that occurred in Southport, emphasising the grotesque lie propagated by those who committed acts of violence under the false pretense of justice. He highlighted the targeting of places of worship, citizen advice bureaux, and libraries as symbols of community improvement.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the powerful words from Patrick Hurley and reiterated that using the deaths of Elise Dot, Alice, and Bebe to justify violence is an absolute lie. Yvette Cooper emphasised the need for swift justice in such cases.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Asked if the Home Secretary agrees that the quick response from law enforcement, prosecution, and courts successfully halted violence and acted as a deterrent. He also asked how this model can be adapted in other areas of justice.
Minister reply
Agreed with Julian Lewis's point about the effectiveness of swift responses in reducing violence. Yvette Cooper highlighted the need to improve cooperation between policing and the Crown Prosecution Service to address delays in the criminal justice system.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Question
Appreciated the Home Secretary's statement, noting that it is important to condemn racism and Islamophobia. She also called for stronger regulations around social media companies regarding hate speech.
Minister reply
Welcomed Dawn Butler’s points on challenging racism and extremism. Yvette Cooper mentioned future measures under the Online Safety Act 2023 aimed at requiring social media companies to remove criminal content.
Gavin Robinson
DUP
Belfast East
Question
Acknowledged the Home Secretary's stance on condemning violence and mentioned the support received from Police Scotland during violent disorder in Belfast. He asked about repairing damage caused by previous immigration policies.
Minister reply
Joined Gavin Robinson in condemning the violent disorder seen in Northern Ireland and welcomed mutual aid between police forces. Yvette Cooper stated that while reforms are needed, they should not be used as an excuse for violence.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Question
Highlighted the role of misinformation in fueling violence and asked what can be done to challenge this. He also sought ways to allow a free debate on asylum and immigration without lies.
Minister reply
Agreed with Jonathan Brash that misinformation often fuels violent disorder but stressed that individuals must take responsibility for their actions. Yvette Cooper highlighted the criminal nature of online content and the need for social media companies to remove it.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Question
Asked about the percentage of cases dealt with by district judges instead of lay magistrates during violent disorder and inquired if similar changes would apply to other types of disorder.
Minister reply
Responded that decisions on charging and court matters are independent of Government, handled by the CPS. Yvette Cooper offered to provide detailed information regarding the numbers of cases dealt with by different courts.
Chris Webb
Lab
Blackpool South
Question
Expressed gratitude towards police forces for their dedication and bravery in protecting communities from violence, especially highlighting the efforts made by Lancashire Police.
Minister reply
Acknowledged Chris Webb’s points and expressed strong gratitude towards police officers nationwide. Yvette Cooper highlighted the remarkable work done by officers during the period of violent disorder.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
We in Scotland are grateful that we were spared any of the violence that we saw throughout the rest of the United Kingdom. The Home Secretary says that she wants a debate. Does she accept that the way that immigrants and asylum seekers have been portrayed by a host of political voices has helped to foster, foment and even encourage some of the scenes that we witnessed? Those who have been whipping up this type of activity must be held to account, as must those who peddled misinformation. Will the Home Secretary also help that debate by talking a little more positively about immigration?
Minister reply
I certainly think that we should have honest and practical debates about issues, rather than debates that end up being lost in rhetoric, and often lose sight of the facts and practical issues. Some of what we saw was extremism, as well as local criminals and thugs. To deal with the disorder, we have to deal with all the different aspects and origins of it.
Stella Creasy
Lab Co-op
Walthamstow
Question
I am grateful for the strong leadership that the Home Secretary has shown on this. That is why, after three days of distress and panic in Walthamstow because somebody published a list suggesting that thugs were going to come to our community, thousands of people took to our streets. They stood with members of our local mosques and churches, holding hands with them to keep them safe. We even had knitters against Nazis. The fear endures even after the immediate threat has gone. That is the challenge we have to deal with in this place: those people who promote anger rather than answers to the challenges that we face in our society. Can she set out what she actually means by far-right extremism and such terms, because those details matter in being able to have these debates and give confidence to the communities that are targeted that we stand with them?
Minister reply
Nobody in Britain should ever feel afraid because of the colour of their skin. I have set up a review around countering extremism, which means far-right extremism, Islamist extremism, and some of the other forms of changing extremism that do not fit necessarily into the clear, more historical, categories.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
The amount of stabbings and deaths by stabbings in this country is reaching shocking levels. Over the past few weeks, the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister have fast-tracked the violent criminals in these riots, and got them into court and in prison within two weeks. Is it not about time that we did the same with these yobboes—these thugs—who are carrying knives?
Minister reply
I welcome the hon. Member’s support for the speedy response from the police and criminal justice system to the violence that we saw on our streets. Knife crime has substantially increased in recent years, which is why the newly elected Labour Government have made halving knife crime part of our mission for safer streets across this country.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Question
The appalling racist riots may be over for now, but the ideology behind them is a growing threat, both here and internationally. In Germany, for example, the far right has just won a state election for the first time since the second world war. Does the Home Secretary agree that to prevent more people being won over by the far right, our Government must deliver proper improvements in living standards in order to combat disillusionment?
Minister reply
Clearly, we want to see increasing living standards right across the board. That is immensely important. We also need a serious and sensible debate on a range of policies including crime, immigration and other issues that the Home Office is responsible for.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
The ugly, racist mob violence in our towns and cities this summer was incited and organised by far-right groups, often using electronic platforms including Telegram and X. For example, on Telegram, groups have distributed instructions for making petrol bombs. Does the Home Secretary’s response include options for prosecuting those who own platforms that may have enabled or committed crimes under section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006?
Minister reply
The hon. Member will be aware that full implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 has been long delayed and is still needed. Many of the examples she raises are of illegal content that is still available online, which is shocking and irresponsible.
Jo White
Lab
Bassetlaw
Question
I am grateful to the Home Secretary for her statement. I agree with her point that it is perfectly possible to have a debate in our country about immigration and many other issues without resorting to looting shops, attacking minority groups and throwing bricks at police. In my constituency, I regularly have conversations with local people who feel that net migration is too high, and who worry about the cost of asylum hotels and the number of people entering our country illegally. Does the Home Secretary agree that that is how a democratic country like ours should operate?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is exactly right. We can all have an important debate in this place—the kind of debate that people have in communities across the country—about issues around net migration and border control.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Question
At the start of the trouble in Northern Ireland, I went to our Deputy First Minister and got her, with the help of the local health trust, to visit our local hospital, where we were able to offer some form of reassurance to people. Does the Home Secretary agree that that is a good, positive way to approach this? Does she also agree that we must identify and speak about the issues that many people have with illegal immigration?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is right that in this country, we have always had people come together and work together to tackle problems and debate issues. The people responsible for this violence and these attacks do not speak for the United Kingdom—they really do not.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
Question
For too long, Muslims have been scapegoated for the failings of the political and economic system by the same type of politics that led to the hostile environment for migrants. Can the Home Secretary outline the steps that she will take to ensure that any measures arising from the rapid review of extremism do not perpetuate or extend harm to Muslim and migrant communities?
Minister reply
The hon. Member makes an important point. The whole purpose of the review on countering extremism is to make sure we tackle far-right extremism, Islamist extremism, violent Islamophobia and antisemitic attacks, working with affected communities.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Question
I join in the condemnation of the thuggery and violence that we all saw and deplored, but can I take the Home Secretary back to the point to which the right hon. Member for Belfast East (Gavin Robinson) alluded? Is she comfortable with the fact that under the Windsor framework, any immigration policy that she devises must pass through the filter of EU law, and be subject to its requirements? As long as that prevails, how can a Home Secretary implement a national policy? Will she act with this Government to set aside what they inherited from the Tory Government: the loss of sovereignty over immigration—and so many other matters, as far as Northern Ireland is concerned?
Minister reply
There will be many opportunities in this House to talk about the details of immigration policy—I will certainly do that—and I am very happy to discuss further with the hon. Gentleman issues such as border security and wider immigration policy, but this statement is about the violent disorder that we saw this summer, how we ensure that it cannot be repeated, and the reforms in place to address that.
Andrew Pakes
Lab Co-op
Peterborough
Question
I welcome the strong leadership that this Government and Home Secretary have shown. Even though Peterborough avoided the right-wing thuggery that many places saw earlier this summer, despite the best efforts of online misinformation and rumours, the events of the summer cast a long shadow on communities and constituencies like mine. I put on record my thanks to Peterborough’s Joint Mosques Council, Community First and Peterborough’s community group, as well as the police and council officers who worked around the clock to keep businesses and communities safe. Can the Home Secretary give confidence and comfort to communities like mine that, in the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to tackle extremism, Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred? This is not just about this summer; those problems have been rising over recent years and are at the source of the issue that we need to tackle.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right. That is why the Deputy Prime Minister is taking forward work around community cohesion. We should also recognise that, right across the country, the overwhelming majority of people were truly appalled by what we saw from a small minority of people.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for her statement, her clear, strong leadership and her swift action. Well done, Home Secretary. That is what every MP and people across this great nation wish to see. In Northern Ireland, we remained untouched by the unrest seen on the mainland, but I will just say this about Newtownards. Sometimes it is easy to focus on the negatives, but there are positives as well: people of all religions and political persuasions came together as one and stood together against what happened. We have to take some encouragement from that. With regard to community tensions, it is essential that everyday people who have legitimate concerns about illegal immigration are not drawn into situations that become less about the right to display disapproval and protest, and more about violence. How will the Government seek to ensure that those with legitimate concerns are heard, and that those whose intent is simply to disrupt and destroy are dealt with appropriately?
Minister reply
I welcome the points that the hon. Member makes and his recognition of the seriousness of, and the damage done by, the violent disorder. He is right that most people in the country want a serious debate about the importance of net migration coming down.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
I start by extending my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the three little girls murdered in Southport. Liverpool has a very proud history of fighting right-wing terrorism on the streets of our city. However, the diverse communities of my Liverpool Riverside constituency, particularly those who are visibly black and Muslim, are still very anxious about going out, due to the rise in racism and Islamophobia. My right hon. Friend mentioned the Deputy Prime Minister’s work on community cohesion. I would be grateful if she confirmed whether local authorities like mine will receive additional funding to undertake that work.
Minister reply
The Deputy Prime Minister will be working with local councils across the country on what we need to do to improve cohesion. She and I have discussed many times the importance of these issues and of working alongside each other.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Question
Does the Home Secretary agree that those who suggest that this country has some form of two-tier policing serve only to undermine our brave frontline police officers, who put themselves at risk every single day to maintain order, and that anybody who suggests that does not do so in our country’s name or traditions?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point. Police officers in this country take an oath when they become officers to operate without fear or favour. They work immensely hard, right across the country, to uphold that.
Jake Richards
Lab
Rother Valley
Question
The scenes outside a hotel in Wath over the summer took place just a few miles away from my constituency. A group of rioters set a hotel on fire, knowing full well that innocent people were inside, including a constituent of mine who was being housed there with her children, under the statutory responsibilities of the local authority, as she had recently been made homeless. Local police officers worked 20-hour shifts to keep her safe. The day after the riots, local people attended to clear up the rubble, and in the weeks after community groups, like the Dinnington community boxing club, organised events to show unity and solidarity in the face of violence. Does the Home Secretary agree that that, and not the acts of those mindless thugs who attacked the hotel in Wath, is the true spirit of South Yorkshire?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point and speaks powerfully for his constituency. I am so sorry that his constituent was affected by the violence in that way.
Lewis Atkinson
Lab
Sunderland Central
Question
My constituents were appalled by the criminal disorder that we saw on our streets at the start of August, which was in no way representative of our city. The contrast between thugs who preferred destruction and the decent law-abiding majority was clear in our community’s response—be it Northumbria police officers standing up and protecting our communities in the face of attacks; the hundreds of residents of every race and religion turning up the day after to sweep away not just the shards of glass, but the shards of hatred that had been sown the night before; or the Sunderland citizens advice bureau refusing to let the arson attack prevent it from providing services. Will the Home Secretary join me in praising the response of the people of Sunderland and of similar communities across the country, and does she agree that we should build upon their example as we look to strengthen community cohesion in the future?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is exactly right. He speaks strongly for the people of Sunderland, who came together.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for the statement and for the swift action taken during the violent disorder to reassure mosques and Muslim communities that blatant Islamophobia will not be tolerated. She announced rapid access to the protective security scheme for mosques, which was welcomed by mosques across the UK, to help them provide additional security when needed. Can she confirm how many mosques have accessed that funding, and what proactive engagement the Home Office has had with mosques and Muslim organisations to support them in their funding applications?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point about the emergency procedure that we brought in to accelerate support and security provisions for mosques.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Question
I am grateful to the Home Secretary for her statement and welcome the range of police reforms that she outlined. I thank Dorset police for their rapid and proactive work with local residents, community groups, mosques, protesters and counter-protesters to prevent two organised protests in Bournemouth town centre from descending into the type of violent disorder that we saw in other parts of the country. It will take time to roll out those police reforms—I hope they include reform of the funding formula, which currently does not recognise the seasonal challenges that we face every year in Bournemouth—but does she agree that we are lucky to have such dedicated and professional police forces on the frontlines, preventing crime and disorder with limited resources?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point about the tradition of British policing, of which I think we should feel proud. The idea that the police should operate without fear or favour, that they are operationally independent, and that the police are the public and the public are the police—the tradition of policing by consent—stretches back to Peel. That is why the drop in confidence in policing over recent years is a real challenge, why the Government are determined to turn it around and work with the police to rebuild confidence in policing, and why we will continue to support the police, including with more neighbourhood policing.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
I thank the Home Secretary for her statement. She will be aware that the riots, which sought to exploit the Southport killings for a racist and Islamophobic agenda, included one in Middlesbrough that saw homes, businesses and vehicles damaged in a predominantly Asian and Muslim area, where thugs created roadblocks that allowed only white British drivers to pass. That racist violence caused real fear, resulting in the postponement of the Middlesbrough Mela, the premier celebration of multiculturalism in the north-east. The community, which so magnificently cleaned up the mess, refuses to be cowed, so the mela will go ahead this coming weekend. Will the Home Secretary join me in welcoming the restoration of the Middlesbrough Mela, as well as all mela events held across the country, as important demonstrations of working-class communities enjoying and celebrating our diversity?
Minister reply
I am glad to hear my hon. Friend’s description of the way in which communities come together to celebrate. It is distressing to hear about the fear that was created and the community events that were delayed because of it. I thank him for continuing to champion his constituents throughout the violent disorder that we saw in Middlesbrough. He and I have spoken about the things that happened, and I thank him for standing up for his constituents.
Joani Reid
Lab
East Kilbride and Strathaven
Question
There has been much discussion of the role that social media played in fuelling the violent disorder that we have seen on our streets. Many of the extremists were swiftly arrested and charged; does my right hon. Friend agree that those who spread pernicious and poisonous online lies should also share responsibility for the disorder that we have seen, and that online thugs who deliberately stir up hatred and division should have been similarly punished? If not, what does she think can be done about this increasingly wicked online behaviour?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right: we have seen deliberate attempts to radicalise people or promote extremism online, including on social media platforms, and we have seen illegal content not taken down. Obviously, incitement and encouragement of serious violence and racial hatred offline has been a criminal offence in this country for many years, but what is criminal offline is also criminal online. People need to take responsibility for the crimes they commit, which is why we have taken this behaviour so seriously, and why we are so clear that the Online Safety Act 2023 needs to be implemented to make sure that the social media companies take some responsibility for criminal content online.
Andrew Lewin
Lab
Welwyn Hatfield
Question
Last month, Elon Musk fanned the flames of violent disorder. He personally amplified extremist accounts and, shamefully, even said that he believed our country was heading for “civil war”. Some 10 months previously, the leader of the Conservative party invited Elon Musk to Downing Street, and in a stunt, they even superimposed his new logo on to the front of Downing Street. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that was a major error of judgment by the Conservative party, and that Elon Musk has no interest in our democracy—only in himself?
Minister reply
There is an important point here, which is that the social media companies and their owners need to take some responsibility for the criminal content that appears on their platforms, but also for the way that they operate—for the way that their algorithms operate, and how they can be used and manipulated by extremists. As for misjudgments by the Conservative party, there are too many to list now.
Shadow Comment
James Cleverly
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, James Cleverly, acknowledged the Home Secretary’s statement but criticised her earlier comments on police conduct during disorder. He expressed concern over perceived bias in Labour's handling of different forms of violence and urged even-handedness from Ministers. Cleverly questioned delays in government responses to violent incidents and the creation of a standing army of public order officers. He also highlighted the need for conversations with tech firms regarding their responsibilities in tackling misinformation, as well as continued reviews into police use of force.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.