The last time the UK saw civil unrest of comparison to the 2024 riots was during the summer of 2011 when the Director of Public Prosecutions at the time was the now Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

It was reported in September 2011 that 1,566 people had appeared before magistrates on charges connected with the disorder throughout the country. Courts were granted the ability to sit for longer hours, in some cases 24 hours a day, to process cases. However, it still took over a year to finish prosecutions as new cases were consistently brought.

By August 2012, 1,292 rioters had been handed custodial sentences totalling 1,800 years at 16.8 months on average.

Fast forward to 2024. What is the reason for the UK riots?

2024 Riots

Initially, the unrest was triggered by misinformation spread about the identity of a teenager who has been arrested over the deaths of three children in a mass knife attack in Southport on July 29th. It was incorrectly suggested that he was a Muslim immigrant.

Since then, riots have erupted at anti-immigration protests in towns and cities across Britain, with counter-protests having also built up in response and, as a result, clashes between opposing groups.

In contrast, in Southport, hundreds of people attended a peaceful memorial a week after the deaths of the three innocent children. In Accrington, Lancashire Muslim Counter-protesters were embraced by pub-goers.

Axel Muganwas Rudakubana from Banks, Lancashire has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 attempt murders, and possession of a knife. In an unusual decision, the courts allowed his identity to be published. Usually, the identity of a person under the age of 18 is protected.

There has been condemnation from all parties and high-profile figures, and praise for public servants dealing with the unrest. The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowed to ‘ramp up’ the law to deal with the violence.

As of 10 August 2024, it was believed there had been around 741 arrests and 302 charges brought. In comparison to the 2011 riots, it was confirmed that courts would sit for 24 hours in a bid to ‘stamp on far-right violence.

In another unusual decision, cases have been fast-tracked in the courts. The first people to be sentenced for their part in the disturbance were sentenced within days. Charges included violent disorder, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, and assault. Subject to the level of allegation, if charged with grievous bodily harm or wounding, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment. The lessor allegation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.

People have also been arrested and sentenced for their social media posts, where they may have incited violence or rioting. The first is believed to be Jordan Parlour sentenced to 20 months in jail for urging people to target a hotel housing asylum seekers and refugees.

If a person is charged with an allegation of conspiring to commit a particular offence the maximum sentence could again be life imprisonment.

What can only be described as another deterrent has been talk of charging people with the actual offence of riot. Riot is only triable on indictment, meaning it can only be dealt with at the Crown Court. The maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment with a range of 3-9 years. The ‘range’ is a guide as to the appropriate sentence taking various factors into account.

Contact a Criminal Law Specialist

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