Did 'Two-Tier Keir' deserve nickname over policing of summer protests? Now public gets chance to tell MPs if two-tier policing exists

PEOPLE who claimed there was "two-tier policing" of the summer disturbances across the country have nearly a month to give MPs concrete evidence of it taking place.

Thousands of people took part in demonstrations, many of which turned into shocking acts of violence and rioting, in response to the mass stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop for youngsters in Southport on July 29.

Three children were killed, and ten others, eight of whom were children, were injured.

It sparked major rioting in the town and hostility towards asylum seekers that spread to other areas after claims were made on social media about the suspect, who was born in Cardiff to parents from Rwanda, being a "migrant."

An inquiry by the new Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee has been launched into the policing of the events and it is calling for the public to give evidence.

Anyone wishing to provide evidence, including those who believe they have genuine evidence of the police treating various communities differently, will have the opportunity to make submissions until Tuesday, December 10.

Experts, the public and professionals will be able to give their views on any aspects of the policing of the demos across the country that led to around 1,500 arrests and hundreds of people being prosecuted, provided it is inline with the inquiry's terms of reference.

The inquiry is the first to be launched by the Home Affairs Committee which has yet to meet start any other work since the General Election.

It will not be looking at the prosecution of those charged with rioting, but just the policing of the various demonstrations.

Although the terms of reference do not specifically address allegations of "two-tier policing" the matter could potentially be introduced under a small number of the questions posed by the committee.

These include: "How did police forces respond to disorder in July and August 2024, including:

What strategies did police forces employ to respond, and on what basis?

How did these strategies compare to those used in other recent cases of large-scale disorder?

What challenges, if any, did the political focus on the disorder place on policing in general, and the decisions of individual officers?

A Home Affairs Select Committee spokesperson today said: "The Home Affairs Committee has launched a new inquiry into the policing of incidents of violent disorder in the UK during the summer of 2024.

"In July and August this year, significant disorder took place in towns and cities following the violent events in Southport. Violent protests took place in urban centres, and outside accommodation for asylum seekers, necessitating a significant police response.

"An estimated 40,000 additional officer shifts were required by public order officers in a ten-day period and over 1,500 arrests were made in response to the disorder."

Launching the inquiry, Chair of the Home Affairs Committee Dame Karen Bradley (above) said: “Disorder like we witnessed in the summer poses a significant challenge to policing.

"We want to understand the situations they faced, as well as the resourcing, policy and safety considerations behind their response.

“Front line officers play a vital role in protecting communities in these situations, putting themselves in harm’s way and being required to make tough decisions to maintain order. It is vital that lessons are learnt to ensure they are in the best position to meet similar challenges in the future.”

The full terms of reference and more detail is available here.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, who was 17 at the time of the attacks has been charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and with ten counts of attempted murder plus possession of a knife.

The murders were not declared a terrorist incident by the police or Labour Government.

However, last month Rudakubana returned to Westminster Magistrates' Court where further related charges were added, including one under the Terrorism Act.

He was charged with production of ricin, a deadly poison, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

He appeared via video link from Belmarsh, but did not speak or engage with the proceedings.

He is due at a plea and case management hearing at Liverpool Crown Court tomorrow, Wednesday, November 13.