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Telegraph
8 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Police not ready for summer of unrest
Police have said that they are not ready for a summer of unrest as they warn they will have to divert officers away from neighbourhood duties to tackle protests over migrants. After days of protests against mass migration outside asylum hotels, and with more planned in the coming weeks, there are fears the UK could be heading for another summer of violent disorder. Writing for The Telegraph, below, Tiff Lynch, the head of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, said officers were being 'pulled in every direction' and commanders were 'forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps'. Unrest in Epping was a 'signal flare' for more to come, she said. The federation said that already-underfunded police forces would be forced to take officers away from neighbourhood policing duties to manage anti-migrant protests that turned violent. Official figures released by the Home Office show that the number of bobbies on the beat has already fallen to a record low. The number of officers in local policing has dropped from a peak of 67,785 in 2023 to 58,002 in 2025, according to the data. It comes after Essex Police came under fire for escorting anti-racism protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping, where violence subsequently broke out. The force later took some of the anti-racism protesters away in police vans as they were 'clearly at risk of being hurt'. Demonstrations had taken place outside the hotel after a migrant, who has since been arrested, allegedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl just days after arriving in the UK. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, claimed the Essex force had 'directly facilitated the unrest we saw' and added: 'Heads must roll.' Ms Lynch said that if violent protests spread throughout the summer, it would be 'dangerous to assume' officers would be able to 'hold the line indefinitely'. She said: 'It would be comical if it weren't so serious – and so familiar. Local commanders are once again being forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps.' The rioting that broke out in the wake of the Southport killings last year had 'exposed the deep fragility within our public order policing system', she said, adding: 'The gaps were plain to see: mutual aid stripped to the bone, co-ordination between forces lacking, and a total failure to anticipate how disorder is now sparked and fuelled online. 'Officers were left to face missiles with little more than a shield and a short briefing. The risks were there in black and white – yet little has improved since.' Ben-Julian Harrington, the Chief Constable of Essex Police, refused to resign over his handling of the protests and denied his officers had given a higher level of protection to anti-racism activists. Residents, who were protesting peacefully, said violence had been made inevitable by the decision to escort counter-protesters towards the hotel. Mr Harrington insisted that the only protection that officers were providing was to 'lawful and law-abiding people'. He argued that the 'irresponsible and criminal behaviour' of a minority of people at the protests was drawing officers in Essex away from investigating other crimes. Demonstrations outside hotels housing migrants have taken place in Norfolk and London in recent days, with more planned in other cities, including Bournemouth and Southampton, over the coming weeks. Tommy Robinson, the far-Right activist, called for his supporters to attend another demonstration outside a hotel in Norwich this week, stating that 'local communities have had enough'. Officers 'pulled in every direction' Ms Lynch said: 'Public order requires planning, investment and leadership. But officers are being pulled in every direction, asked to do more with less, and left in the dark about their future – all while being quietly sacrificed for short-term convenience. 'They will turn up. They always do. But it is dangerous to assume that they can continue to hold the line indefinitely, without the support they need or the recognition they deserve. 'A summer of further unrest is not inevitable. But it becomes far more likely if we once again fail to prepare.' The federation said that police pay had fallen by more than 20 per cent in real terms since 2010, but Ms Lynch added that 'this goes far beyond pay'. 'This is about whether the country still values the men and women who step forward when everything else breaks down. Right now, many of them feel utterly abandoned', she said. Labour is aiming to put 3,000 more bobbies on the beat by next spring and has pledged that every community will have dedicated teams that will spend their time in the community. From this month, all forces will be expected to guarantee police patrols in town centres and other 'hotspot' areas at peak times, such as Friday and Saturday nights in town centres or market days in rural communities. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Farage said that counter-protest groups such as Stand Up To Racism had been given the 'red carpet treatment'. 'There's no doubt in my mind that, through their actions, Essex Police directly facilitated the unrest we saw', he added. Exhausted officers cannot continue to hold the line indefinitely By Tiff Lynch The disorder in Epping – where police officers were pelted with bricks and bottles outside an asylum hotel – was not just a troubling one-off. It was a signal flare. A reminder of how little it takes for tensions to erupt and how ill-prepared we remain to deal with it. Last summer's civil unrest exposed the deep fragility within our public order policing system. The gaps were plain to see: mutual aid stripped to the bone, co-ordination between forces lacking, and a total failure to anticipate how disorder is now sparked and fuelled online. Officers were left to face missiles with little more than a shield and a short briefing. The risks were there in black and white, yet little has improved since. Instead of strengthening our front line, we are continuing to sap its energy. More than 1,500 officers have been pulled from local forces to police a private visit by the US president. This was not a state occasion; it was a leisure trip. While he plays golf, communities hundreds of miles away are left without coverage, and already exhausted public order units are stretched even further. It would be comical if it weren't so serious – and so familiar. Local commanders are once again being forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps. Meanwhile, anger is building. Every other public sector profession – from NHS staff to teachers and the Armed Forces – has had its annual pay award confirmed. Police officers, alone, are still waiting. With just weeks before the new pay period begins, there has been nothing but silence. It's hard not to see that delay as calculated; an attempt to avoid fuelling discontent in a workforce already under strain. If that's the plan, it is both cynical and dangerous. Officers don't need a message of reassurance. They need action and respect. Through our Copped Enough campaign, we hear from officers who are at breaking point. Working relentless overtime, not as a choice but as an expectation. Taking second jobs to keep up with rising costs. Watching friends and colleagues walk away because the personal toll has become too great. Behind each uniform is a person, someone with a family, responsibilities, and limits. When officers are stretched to breaking point, the effects ripple far beyond the front line. It impacts home lives, mental health and long-term wellbeing. These are not just statistics or headlines. These are real people carrying the weight of a system in crisis. This goes far beyond pay. This is about whether the country still values the men and women who step forward when everything else breaks down. Right now, many of them feel utterly abandoned. Policing cannot function on goodwill alone. Public order requires planning, investment and leadership. But officers are being pulled in every direction, asked to do more with less, and left in the dark about their future – all while being quietly sacrificed for short-term convenience. They will turn up. They always do. But it is dangerous to assume that they can continue to hold the line indefinitely, without the support they need or the recognition they deserve. A summer of further unrest is not inevitable. But it becomes far more likely if we once again fail to prepare.
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Two held on suspicion of murder after death of dad-of-five
Two men have bee held as part of a murder investigation into the death of a father-of-five. The body of Paul Smith, 40, who was also known as Smigger, was found at a property on Thirlmere Road in Everton, Liverpool, on was described by his family as an "amazing father" with a "huge heart". Two men from Liverpool, one 43 and one 60, are in custody for questioning. A post mortem examination is to be carried out to establish the cause of Mr Smith's death, Merseyside Police said. 'Contagious smile' In a tribute, Mr Smith's family said his children "adored him", adding he was "a loving, supportive partner and a devoted son, always striving to provide for his family". They added: "Paul had a huge heart. He was the life and soul of the party, charming and warm to everyone he met."He will be mourned and missed by many, friends and family alike." 'Full of love' His family also described him as a "loving brother" adding he devoted his time and love to supporting his elder and younger siblings. "He was the glue that bonded his siblings together with his contagious smile and crazy personality. "He will be greatly missed and forever remembered for being the outgoing loving sibling and son he was."Det Ch Insp Steve Ball said: "We are determined to find out exactly what happened, and I would urge anyone with information to come forward at the earliest opportunity so prompt action can be taken."If you live locally and saw or heard anything suspicious, or have since heard talk of what happened, speak to us."He added: "What seems like a trivial detail could be absolutely vital." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Telegraph
8 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Essex Police directly facilitated migrant unrest. Heads must roll
The recent events from the Bell Hotel in Epping have been extraordinary. Following an alleged assault of a 14-year-old girl by an illegal migrant housed in the hotel, many local women, children and families who were understandably concerned for their own safety turned out to protest. Ordinary, decent people with reasonable concerns organised peacefully to stand up for their communities. And for that, the people of Epping must be commended. However, the narrative spun by the mainstream media is that the protest turned violent as a result of out-of-town far-Right thugs. Whilst undoubtedly some did turn up, the footage that emerged on Tuesday blew this story wide open. Despite Essex Police initially trying to cover it up, new footage showed hard-Left groups such as Stand Up to Racism and Antifa being given the red carpet treatment, with the force literally escorting and bussing masked thugs around at the protest. Unsurprisingly, soon after their arrival the violent scenes we've seen across the media erupted. There's no doubt in my mind that, through their actions, Essex Police directly facilitated the unrest we saw. They have been caught red-handed helping to light the fuse that led to violence. This is simply unacceptable. It's nothing short of an extraordinary and disgraceful act. Surely, the positions of chief constable Ben-Julian Harrington and police and the crime commissioner are now untenable. How could they stay in post when their force has been almost complicit in encouraging an escalation that put the safety and wellbeing of ordinary, honest people at risk? Whilst the media continues to portray genuine local people who turned out to protest as out-of-town far-right thugs, it turns out the police have been ferrying actual protestors from outside the area. Many of whom were masked and intent on creating violence. Of course, at the very root of the problem lies successive governments' inability to control our borders. Both Labour and the Conservatives have allowed hundreds of thousands illegal migrants to flood into this country. Over 20,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel in 2025 alone. This is almost 50 per cent higher than the same point last year. Labour's indifference to this issue has meant that we're on for a record year – 44,000 people have come over since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. Impossible to check and vet These migrants, predominantly men of fighting age, are often impossible to check and vet. As soon as they wash up on our shores they are dumped into hotels and HMOs [House in Multiple Occupation] in the hearts of our communities. Coming from often alien cultures, these men pose a serious risk to British women and children. In some cases, it has been found that we are importing genuine terrorists who wish to destroy us and our way of life. To compound the problem, Lefty lawyers use and abuse human rights law to keep these people in Britain. Until the Government acknowledges that our membership of the ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights] is hampering our ability to provide the most basic level of security to our people, this problem will persist. No one should underestimate the anger in the country. Essex Police's actions in Epping are yet another example of two-tier policing in Labour's Britain. When coppers are happy to brazenly escort the hard-Left to a peaceful protest, in the full knowledge that they want to cause trouble, it's no wonder that the public feel they can no longer trust law enforcement to act in their best interests. Without trust, law and order in this country is a pipe dream. No wonder Britain is lawless, when it appears those tasked with keeping the peace are doing the exact opposite. This isn't just another scandal; this is a wake-up call. Heads at Essex Police must roll.
