Police are braced for more than 100 protests across the country tonight amid fears far-right groups are planning to target immigration services, The Independent understands.
Officers are also expecting more than 30 counter protests as 6,000 riot officers prepare for another evening of potential unrest - with prosecutors warning the publication of a “hit list” of immigration centres and lawyers by the far-right could amount to terrorism.
Senior police sources also revealed investigations are ongoing into “high influence keyboard warriors” as they probe if inflammatory posts amount to inciting violence.
“Those cases are being built and intelligence is being built around them,” a source said, although arrests may not happen immediately.
“We are well resourced in terms of intelligence units and investigators to monitor those individuals online and take action where it crosses the line into criminality.”
Officers have mobilised nationally – with mutual aid being used to bolster some forces. Metropolitan Police resources have deployed to Great Manchester Police, The Independent understands, and units from the southeast are being deployed to north east and north west.
Plans being circulated for tonight are being treated as “credible” and forces are braced for dozens of demos as immigration advice centres and lawyers’ offices batten down the hatches amid fears of fresh clashes.
“We think it’s looking like a credible picture and there’s going to be lots and lots of gatherings,” the police source added, however none are thought to have been planned at accommodation housing asylum seekers.
“Whether it reaches the 100s we don’t know but certainly there will be dozens and dozens across the country.”
Intelligence is showing a level of coordination but it is said to be unsophisticated – with officers often seeing known low-level criminals using the unrest as an excuse to commit violence or join in looting.
Meanwhile the country’s top prosecutor warned the publication of details of immigration law firms as potential targets for disorder could be considered for terrorism charges.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said: “The fact that it’s organised groups that might be motivated by ideological reasons, the fact that they’re promoting potentially very serious offences - that’s the sort of instance where we might want to consider terrorism charges.”
His warning comes as the head of Counter Terrorism Policing vowed not to hesitate if disorder crosses into terrorism.
Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes said: “Counter Terrorism Policing is actively assessing incidents to understand whether terrorism legislation should be applied and we will make those judgements without fear or favour.
“Our message to those involved in this disorder is; we are watching and we will not hesitate to use our powers to protect our communities.”
The Metropolitan Police has 1,300 public order officers deployed across the capital, as deputy assistant commissioner Andy Valentine urged parents to keep their children at home.
“Everyone can play a role by not sharing inflammatory online speculation and giving our officers space to undertake their important duties,” he said.
“We also ask parents to think carefully about where their children are today and in coming days. No-one wants to be caught up in potentially violent and criminal behaviour.”
It comes as Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, was sentenced to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker during clashes in Southport last week.
He is the first person to receive a substantial prison sentence for taking part in the violence that has rocked parts of the UK over the past week in the wake of the killing of three children in the town.
Two other men, Declan Geiran, 29, and Liam Riley, 40, received sentences of 30 months and 20 months respectively for joining clashes Liverpool on Saturday as rioters continue to be hauled before the courts.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the sentences were an example of “the swift action we’re taking”, adding: “If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.”
The Crown Prosecution Service has so far charged more than 140 people in relation to the unrest as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said they expected that number to rise “significantly” in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, the NPCC lead for public order, said that police and the CPS would be seeking to minimise the number of suspects released on bail. Many defendants with no previous convictions have already been remanded in custody after a first appearance in court.
Some i mmigration advice centres are boarding up windows after dozens of targets linked to immigration services were shared on a far-right “hit list” for demonstrations planned at 8pm on Wednesday.
The Law Society, representing solicitors in England and Wales, said it has “serious concerns” about the safety of its members after the list of alleged targets was shared on Telegram.
Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, said threats against immigration lawyers were “at the centre of our planning tonight”, adding: “We will not let the immigration asylum system be intimidated”.
A leader at an immigration advice centre in Sheffield revealed he is worried about the potential for serious violence after rioters tried to set fire to hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham at the weekend.
He told The Independent : “I’m worried about the outside of the building. If it’s anything like the Rotherham hotel then this is serious stuff. It looks like these people are taking this destruction seriously.”
Staff have been advised to stay at home, the building’s sign has been taken down and windows have been boarded up.
A refugee charity in Oxford is closing the office early and staff are working with police ahead of a planned protest and counter protest.
The charity’s director said users have left fearful of the violence spreading after other protests saw asylum seeker accommodation targeted by thugs.
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