Summary

  • "Remain on high alert”, the prime minister is understood to have told an emergency meeting this evening

  • Keir Starmer said there is "no doubt" rapid sentencing and the correct deployment of officers acted as a deterrent to further disorder, the BBC understands

  • More people have been jailed in connection with the week of unrest, with nearly 500 people now arrested, 140 charged, and a further 21 convictions today

  • Elsewhere, a suspended Labour councillor is arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder after comments made at a London counter-protest

Police bodycam shows officers under attack at riot

Live Reporting

Edited by Emily Atkinson

  1. Boy's face injured in attack in west Belfast

    Thomas Copeland
    Live reporter

    Scene on Falls Road after attack

    The assault happened on the Falls Road at about 18:10 BST, police say

    We have a bit more from last night - and in west Belfast a young boy has been left with minor facial injuries after an attack which police are treating as a hate crime.

    The Police Service of Northern Ireland say the assault happened at a Middle Eastern supermarket on Tuesday evening as large group of young people started throwing eggs.

    The MP for the area, Paul Maskey, told BBC News NI it was "an unwarranted and disgraceful attack" - and some of the young people involved are "very, very young indeed".

    It is understood the boy suffered a cut to his lip during the incident.

    Read more here.

  2. What happened last night?

    Comparatively last night did not see the same levels of violence and disorder that we have seen on other days since the Southport attack.

    Police did issue dispersal orders in Liverpool and Durham to mitigate potential unrest.

    Merseyside Police said a Section 34 dispersal order will remain in place in south Liverpool until 19:00 on Thursday.

    Police in Durham said 37 people were ordered to leave the city centre in light of intelligence of "planned disorder". The dispersal order there will last until noon today.

    There are reports of 30 potential gatherings planned for today – police have said they believe the situation is “manageable”.

  3. 'Judgment day' - what the papers are saying

    Front pages of the Metro and the Guardian

    It’s no surprise the unrest dominates Wednesday’s headlines.

    “Judgment day is here” headlines the Metro as it reports on the first people being convicted over the disorder. It highlights the case of Joshua Simpson, 25, who pleaded guilty to kicking a police officer during a riot outside a hotel near Rotherham.

    The Daily Mail highlights the “shame of child rioters”, writing prosecutors have been deeply disturbed to see children as young as 11 taking part.

    And the Daily Telegraph says rioters could face being charged with terror offences, according to the director of public prosecutions.

    More here.

  4. Fears of more protests today

    Francesca Gillett
    Live reporter

    Good morning from here in our London newsroom, where we're continuing to cover the unrest that has spread across the UK in the past week.

    Yesterday police sources told us they are monitoring possible gatherings in 30 locations across the UK today.

    The PM has promised to protect communities from ongoing violent disorder - and says the criminal justice system is "robust" and rioters will be dealt with quickly.

    We're in touch with our colleagues across the country and will bring you the latest throughout the day. Stick with us.