“We have and will continue to do everything in our power to bring those involved to justice”
Nearly 80 people have been convicted over their part in last summer’s riots which rocked the region, Humberside Police say. The force says nine adults are still be dealt with by the courts, which could increase the total of 78 people who have been convicted since the disorder which swept the country in the wake of the Southport attack.
In a new statement, Humberside Police has confirmed 116 arrests were made in connection to the events which brought violence and destruction to Hull city centre. A police officer was permanently scarred during clashes with police on August 3, as thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to streets.
Some shops – including Shoe Zone, Greggs, O2 and Lush in Jameson Street – were raided and looted and fires started amid the chaos. The widespread disorder included ugly scenes outside the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time. Windows were smashed at the property.
A huge community clean-up operation was mounted in the days following the riots, and included Hull City Council staff, volunteers and councillors. At the time, Hull East MP Karl Turner described the “criminal acts of the hooligans and thugs who have been attacking police officers, looting local shops and attacking innocent people”.
Sarah Baker, assistant chief constable, said: “The violence experienced on Saturday, August 3 across the entire country can only be described as utterly abhorrent. Over the past year we have pursued many of those responsible for harming our city and making our community feel unsafe.
“Humberside Police made 116 arrests in total in relation to the disorder. A total of 87 people have been charged, 78 have been convicted and nine adults are waiting to be dealt with by the courts whether that be for a first appearance or sentencing.
“We have had numerous convictions and those who behaved in such a despicable and violent manner have been held accountable, with many still awaiting trial. We hope this reassures our communities that we have and will continue to do everything in our power to bring those involved to justice.”
Earlier this year, a campaign to track down suspects still at large was launched via the BBC’s Crimewatch Live programme. The show featured videos and images of suspects committing the most serious offences.
In recent days, the police watchdog chief has said there is “every possibility” that similar violence of the summer 2024 could reoccur and has warned police forces not to be caught off guard. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Sir Andy Cooke, said the “tools that amplified hatred last summer remain largely unchanged and unregulated”.
He said: “The police service should not be caught off guard again. There is every possibility that similar violence could reoccur. Online misinformation continues to spread. Community tensions persist. The tools that amplified hatred last summer remain largely unchanged and unregulated. The police service must modernise its understanding of how disorder develops and spreads in the digital age.”
Nationally, the unrest led to a total of 1,876 people being arrested, with 1,110 charged so far, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has said.