In the news
On 12 August, the UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, cancelled his summer break due to public disorder that erupted four weeks after he assumed office. His spokesperson said: “We have seen de-escalation but the work is not over yet.” 

On 10 August, peaceful anti-racist rallies were organised across the country. At least 779 protesters were arrested for riots during the previous week. Starmer announced harsher punishments for rioters. He said: “Criminal law applies online as well as offline.” 

On 9 August, police were heavily deployed with riot gear. Clashes between protestors and police in Liverpool injured several police officers.

On 8 August, anti-immigrant protesters faced counter-protesters in various cities. Counter-protesters outnumbered the protesters. Starmer called a Cobra meeting as a part of the emergency crisis response.  

Issues at large
First, the state of protests. The anti-immigrant protest began on 29 July and turned into riots by 1 August. A week later, counterprotests erupted on 7 August. Thousands of counter-protesters gathered in London, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Southampton and Dundee. The counter-protests were organised by several groups including the Asylum Links and the Monitoring Group which are organisations dedicated to welfare of refugees. The counter-protesters belonged to all age groups and were not limited to young people. The cities witnessed violent riots and anti-racist rallies. Most people in those gatherings blamed the role of social media in radicalising the masses. 

Second, the divide within the civil society on immigrants. The anti-immigrant protests and riots were organised by the right-wing groups. However, the majority of the UK population does not support the anti-immigrant sentiments. According to the European Social Survey, the UK population perceives immigration positively for their culture and economy. This was apparent in the civil society participation in the anti-riot protests. Human rights groups including Stand Up to Racism and Newham Monitoring Project had organised the anti-racist gatherings. However, the riots and the counter-protests reflect a divide in society on immigration issues.

Third, the state's response. Starmer and his government responded with a policy of no tolerance towards violence. Starmer called the rioters “right-wing thuggers.” The government took immediate action and deployed police to contain the riots. The government announced penalties for disturbing the public order and arrests of rioters. It deployed 6,000 special police officers. 

In perspective 
First, the de-escalation. Rioters were shunned by the public support for the immigrants. Besides, the government has announced harsh punishments for violence and riots. Heavy policing, the state’s tough stance and public opinion have been the reasons for the de-escalation. 

Second, the limited but extreme influence of right-wing ideology in UK society. Riots, although an extreme event, are not the first symptoms of the rise of far-right ideology. European society has been dealing with xenophobia. Antagonising immigration has been advocated by all governments through their policies of cutting down immigration.

Third, the racist sentiments. The issue has been resolved only on the surface in terms of responding to the riots. The UK will have to address the root causes and there are no easy solutions.