Following the Southport attack last week, there have been multiple UK riots taking place across the country. Here, we discuss why the UK riots began, where they are happening, and what larger impact they may have. We also consider steps which employers might take to help support their employees and ensure their safety.
What Led to the 2024 UK Riots?
On 29 July 2024, there was an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s dance event in Southport, northern England. Three girls aged between six and nine years were killed. Eight other children and two adults were also injured in the attack. A 17-year-old male has since been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
False information has been circulating on social media regarding the male in question, including that he is an Islamist migrant. The police have confirmed that the male was born in the UK and that the attack is not being treated as terrorism. Nevertheless, the original rumours sparked an anti-Muslim protest in Southport on 30 July. Similar far-right riots have been taking place across Britain over the past week.
Most of these UK riots have involved several hundred people and have targeted migrants and/or Muslims. Bottles, bricks, and other missiles have been thrown at Asian-owned mosques and shops. They have also been vandalised and looted. Clashes with police have involved items being thrown at officers and police vehicles being set alight. A hotel in Rotherham which was housing migrants was attacked, with windows being broken and a large bin being set alight.
Some have accused anti-immigration and anti-Muslim activists of promoting protests online and purposefully inflaming tensions by circulating misinformation. The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has called the riots in the UK “far-right thuggery”. In addition to the far-right riots, there have since been gatherings of counter-protesters, anti-fascists, and Asians adding to the chaos.
2024 UK Riots: Where Are They Happening?
On 31 July, a far-right riot involving several thousand people took place near Downing Street in London. This resulted in over 100 arrests. At least 20 subsequent UK riots have since occurred across the country. Locations have included Sunderland, Manchester, Plymouth, and Belfast.
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On Wednesday evening, numerous far-right riots were allegedly prevented by a show of unity from the police force and the communities, according to the chief of the Metropolitan Police. Far-right riots had apparently been planned to take place in Birmingham, Blackpool, and Newcastle, as well as Finchley and Walthamstow in London. These failed to materialise as counter-protestors lined the streets, chanting “Hate not welcome” and “Refugees welcome here”. Sir Mark Rowley has said that this made all the difference, but fears of further UK riots remain.
According to The Independent, UK riots are planned in multiple locations over the coming days. Targets for these far-right riots allegedly include asylum support centres, immigration law specialists, and the Shrewsbury Flower Show. UK riots are anticipated in:
- Birmingham,
- Bournemouth,
- Dover,
- Glasgow,
- Liverpool,
- Newcastle,
- Salford, and,
- Taunton.
Warnings Issues Against the UK In Light of Recent Riots
The riots in the UK are having a significant impact across Britain. Practical issues have included damage to property where riots have taken place. Moreover, emotions are running high and there has been widespread fear across the UK as a result, and in anticipation, of rioting.
According to Sir Keir Starmer, the recent UK riots have constituted some of the worst protests seen in the country in over a decade. He has also stated that those involved will be faced with the full force of the law. Given that over 400 arrests have already been made in connection with the UK riots, this is likely to have a substantial impact on the UK’s crime rates, particularly with respect to hate crimes and racism.
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The 2024 UK riots have the potential to negatively impact international tourism. As a result, some countries have warned their citizens against visiting Britain. Malaysia has advised its citizens against visiting the UK at all. Others, including Nigeria, India, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates, have issued warnings to “stay vigilant”, “exercise caution”, and “avoid areas where protests are occurring”. Given the nature of the far-right riots, targeting migrants and Muslims, this is understandable.
The recent riots in the UK are certainly sending a message to other countries. The situation in Britain is currently being described as having a “violent and disorderly outlook”, with “the potential for disruption and violence” and “unstable security”. Whilst the British Tourist Authority has stated that “demand for travel to Britain remains strong”, how long this will remain the case given the current climate is questionable.
How Employers Can Help to Ensure Employee Safety During 2024 UK Riots
Many employers are likely to be justifiably concerned about the UK riots and the impact they might have on their employees. Under UK law, employers have a duty of care to their employees whilst at work. This may be relevant to those businesses which have been targeted by the far-right riots over the past week.
Others are questioning how they can help ensure the safety of their employees outside work during the 2024 UK riots. Some are also considering how to react if any of their employees are directly involved in the UK riots.
How Can Employers Help to Support Their Employees?
Some businesses, particularly those which are likely to be directly targeted by the riots in the UK, are considering temporary closure. In such situations, it will be important to ensure that employee rights are upheld. Under UK law, employers are obliged to pay employees who are willing and able to work unless their employment contracts specify otherwise.
However, the options of laying employees off or putting them on short-term work may be available in certain circumstances. These include measures being included in employees’ employment contracts, agreed on in advance between employer and employees, allowed for in a collective agreement, or clear custom and practice in the workplace.
For those businesses which are concerned about their employees’ safety outside work, certain steps may be taken to provide support in this regard. Enabling employees to temporarily alter their working hours, work remotely, and/or take alternative methods of transport are all potential options. Encouraging employees to leave the workplace in groups and/or commute with a “travel buddy” may also be appropriate.
Communicating regularly with employees, both collectively and on a one-to-one basis, will also be crucial. Some employees are likely to be affected more than others, depending on their vulnerabilities, beliefs, and/or ethnicities. It will be important for employers to understand the individual concerns and needs of their employees and to advise them accordingly.
HR teams should also keep up to date on the current situation, wait for governmental advice, and circulate such information internally. It will be crucial to remind employees of any support initiatives available at work, such as employee assistance programs or internal support groups.
Employer Responsibilities if Employees are Involved in the UK Riots
There is also the possibility that some employees will be directly involved in the 2024 UK riots. This may be by participating personally in either far-right riots or counter-protests or by supporting or condemning such conduct online.
Employers are under a legal duty to report any criminal activity of their employees to the relevant authority, such as the police. However, conducting internal investigations and following disciplinary policies may also be appropriate.
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When dealing with such situations, it will be important to consider the employee’s conduct, their role within the business, and how their actions may impact the employer’s reputation.
Misconduct, unsuitability to perform a role, and damaging an employer’s reputation are all potentially fair reasons for dismissal. However, it will be important for employers to act fairly, ensuring they have input from the employee, before deciding on what action to take.