Hundreds of officers ready for protests, says PCC

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner says violence and disorder will not be tolerated

A police and crime commissioner says nearly 200 officers from across two counties are ready to address "unacceptable violence and disorder" across the country.

Officers from Norfolk and Suffolk are part of eight Public Service Units which will be available to assist other forces.

Protests across the United Kingdom have been taking place since misinformation spread online that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport on 29 July was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "This kind of totally unacceptable violence and disorder will not be tolerated in any circumstance."

The Public Service Units include 23 specially trained officers, including an inspector and three sergeants and are a requirement across England and Wales.

An emergency meeting held by Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged a "standing army" of 6,000 public order officers would be ready, with 500 new prison places created.

Mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers have been targeted during the disorder with charities and high street shops closing its doors on Wednesday in anticipation of planned protests and disorder.

Amongst the counter-protests across the country, more than 100 people attended a demonstration of "solidarity" near a hotel housing asylum seekers on the outskirts of Norwich on Wednesday after claims of a planned far right presence.

While 29 Public Service Units were made available across the country, Mr Passmore said it had not involved any of Suffolk's own officers.

He said: "There is no intelligence to suggest any forthcoming difficulties at the time of writing in Suffolk, which is good news.

"I hope this situation endures because this kind of totally unacceptable violence and disorder will not be tolerated in any circumstance."