Sky News asks if Starmer is concerned by alleged inconsistencies in terms of the number of arrests made in different cities, and whether different political allegiances are being treated differently.

The PM says there was an agreement this afternoon to pull together a "national response" to maintain consistency and support across the country.

He says that isn't a criticism of any of the forces, but will give them the "support they need more quickly so they can act more robustly".

In terms of prevention, Starmer says he would like to see more use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) which help the authorities identify people who have already been convicted.

Image source, Reuters

ITV asks the prime minister how he can stop the far right, and what his message is to members of the British Muslim community who feel unsafe following attacks on a mosque in Southport.

Starmer says the parents grieving for their children pay the price for those putting out misinformation and interfering in the authorities' work.

He adds the parents suffer the most from a fair trial not happening.

The prime minister goes on to say that nobody should pretend they're speaking for those families.

On the safety concerns among the Muslim community, he says he will take every step necessary to keep them safe.

A Channel 4 reporter says they spoke to Hartlepool's MP who said Cleveland Police were overwhelmed. Will you fast-track recruitment, the reporter asks Starmer.

The prime minister says they have already made a commitment to neighbourhood policing.

He adds what happens in the next few weeks is a question of co-ordinating the response and sharing intelligence and data.

The PM says those responsible for rioting need to "feel the force of law" and arrests need to be quickly followed by charging.

Image source, Reuters

Now to questions from the press.

BBC News's Alex Forsyth asks Starmer if he is concerned whether the violence will spread, and if the government is prepared if it does.

Starmer says "the whole point" of the meeting held with police chiefs today was to co-ordinate a "robust" response.

The starting position of the police should be that this is "violent disorder, not protest," Starmer adds.

Image source, Pool

The prime minister has just announced that a new national capability across police forces will be set up to tackle violent disorder.

This includes the wider deployment of facial recognition technology and criminal behaviour orders, he says.

Starmer makes the announcement after unrest across cities in the UK followed the stabbing attack in Southport.

We’ll bring you more details on this new capability as we get them.

Sir Keir Starmer says the violence that followed the attack in Southport meant its community "had to suffer twice".

Calling the protesters a "gang of thugs", Starmer says: "Make no mistake, whether in Southport, London or Hartlepool these people are showing our country exactly who they are."

Starmer says he will not permit under any circumstances a breakdown of law and order on the streets.

"It's not protest. It's not legitimate. It's crime," he says.

He calls the disorder "an assault on the rule of law and execution of justice."

Image source, PA

The prime minister continues, saying there must be justice and that the time for answering questions "is not now".

Starmer says he is reminding everyone the price for a trial that is prejudiced is "ultimately paid" by the victims and their families that are "deprived of justice".

Sir Keir Starmer starts by saying the victims' families' pain "is unimaginable".

He says they need "space to grieve" and that authorities must be given time to do their job.

He adds there is a time for questions and the families will be at the heart of the process.

Keir Starmer has stepped up to the podium to begin his press conference.

The conference is expected to focus on the unrest across parts of the country following Monday's Southport stabbings.

We'll be bringing you the key lines and you can also watch it live at the top of this page.

Image source, BBC/ Lauren Moss

In a short while, we will hear from Keir Starmer who will be speaking at a news conference to discuss the unrest seen across the country, following his meeting with police chiefs this afternoon.

But let us remind ourselves how this story started - three girls who were killed in a knife attack at their dance class in Southport.

They were Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

Eight children and two adults were also injured in the attack.

The town is in mourning, as people continue to leave flowers and teddy bears to pay respect.

We've been hearing more from our colleagues who were at the hearing in Liverpool Crown Court earlier.

When arguing that the judge should impose reporting restrictions preventing Rudakubana's identification, the prosecution said the suspect had an “autism spectrum disorder diagnosis”, and that he had been “unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time”.

The judge allowed Rudakubana's name to be made public, saying "the balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest".

We've been hearing more from Hartlepool's MP Jonathan Brash on the disorder in the town yesterday.

Brash tells the BBC he believes the demonstration involved people from Hartlepool as well as those from outside the town.

"The behaviour of that small minority of lawless individuals is not in any way, shape or form, reflective of Hartlepool, its people, or its values," he tells BBC Radio 4's World at One programme.

Brash says people are using conversations about asylum and immigration as "an excuse" to engage in violence that "leaves everyone in our community scared".

But he says it's been "amazing" to see Hartlepool's community come together, raise money, and help clear the debris.

“That’s what Hartlepool is about as a community."

Image source, PA Media

We can bring you more now from Keir Starmer's meeting with police chiefs in Downing Street.

They are there to discuss violent unrest across parts of the country that has followed Monday's attack in Southport.

Starmer has told police chiefs: "I wanted to send a message to each of you and through you, your officers, to say that this government supports the police, supports what you are doing and to be absolutely clear: this is not protest, this is violent disorder and action will be taken.

"So, this government will make sure you have got the powers you need and will back you in using those powers."

Image source, PA Media

Senior police chiefs have arrived at Downing Street for a meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss scenes of unrest around the country.

Last night saw disorder in central London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot, with police also clashing with protesters in Southport on Tuesday.

The prime minister's press office says Starmer would make clear that "criminals who exploit [the right to peaceful protest] in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law".

We'll be covering Starmer's press conference from about 16:00 BST - stick with us for the latest.

Image source, PA Media

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to hold a news conference at 16:00 BST after meeting police chiefs to discuss the public disorder in parts of England that has followed the Southport attack.

There was violent unrest in London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot last night, and a riot in Southport on Tuesday.

Starmer is expected to address the issue and take questions from the media.

We'll be bringing you all the key lines as we get them.

Helena Rothman
Reporting from Southport

Image source, BBC / HELENA ROTHMAN

Standing here over the past couple of days it’s been incredible how this little community has come together.

From the offer of drinks and food from total strangers, and people standing together in total grief consoling each other.

So many flowers have been placed by people who just wanted to pay their respects but didn’t know the victims or their families at all.

It has been so incredibly moving to see the heartfelt messages that have been left by families, schools, police and local businesses.

A community in mourning but coming together supporting each other in grief and kindness.

Image source, BBC / HELENA ROTHMAN

If you're just joining us this afternoon, here's a recap of the main developments today:

• The 17-year-old male accused of murdering three girls in Monday's attack in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana, after reporting restrictions preventing him from being identified were lifted
• Appearing in court for the first time, Rudakubana was told he faces three murder charges, 10 attempted murder charges and a charge of possession of a bladed article
• A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for 25 October at Liverpool Crown Court, with Rudakubana remanded in youth custody

• Prime Minster Keir Starmer is set to meet police chiefs at Downing Street this afternoon after there was violent unrest in London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot overnight in response to the attack
• The PM is expected to offer his backing to senior officers and encourage them to use their powers to "stop mindless violence in its tracks"
• In Hartlepool, volunteers have been cleaning up damage caused by unrest overnight
• And in Southport, people continue to lay flowers at the scene of the attack

Let's step away from the courtroom for now and return to the unrest in central London last night.

The Metropolitan Police says it arrested 111 people after "unacceptable scenes of disorder and violence", in updated figures provided on Thursday.

The force said its officers were attacked and subjected to assault during demonstrations in Whitehall.

People were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, assaults on emergency workers, possession of knives and offensive weapons, breach of protest conditions, and breach of a dispersal order, the Met said.

Assistant commissioner Matt Twist said: “It is shameful that some have sought to exploit this tragedy as justification for their own violence and criminality."

As a reminder, riots broke out in Southport on Tuesday night, hours after a vigil was held for the victims. Since then, violent disorder has spread to London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.

Image source, Elizabeth Cook/PA

A second court sketch of Rudakubana has now been released.

Inside the court room, the judge said an order preventing Rudakubana being named until his 18th birthday would have "little practical effect in terms of protecting the welfare of the defendant or his family".

Judge Andrew Menary said the "balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest in allowing full reporting of these proceedings".

"Continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has a disadvantage of allowing others up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum," the judge said.

Rudakubana is due to turn 18 next week.