A review of the policing response to last summer's riots in the UK has revealed significant shortcomings in law enforcement's capacity to manage the risks posed by social media. The analysis comes in the wake of a tragic incident in Southport, where Axel Rudakubana stabbed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2022, sparking a wave of violence targeting mosques and hotels housing migrants.
The report, released on Wednesday by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Andy Cooke, indicates that while there was no conclusive evidence linking the unrest to extremist groups, much of the disorder was incited by "disaffected individuals, influencers or groups" over social media platforms. It was noted that the primary instigators of the violence were local individuals, and that the motivations were largely unrelated to specific ideologies or political beliefs.
Key findings from the report highlighted the complex causes of the riots, attributing them to factors such as social deprivation, austerity measures, economic decline, political decisions regarding migration, and a diminishing trust in police authorities. Inspectors noted that the rapid dissemination of misleading information online significantly exacerbated the situation, contributing to the spread of chaos.
"In the face of increasingly fast and vast online content, the police forces have largely struggled," Cooke commented on the inadequacies found within the police response. He emphasised that misinformation and disinformation were left unchecked for too long, which in turn fuelled public disorder.
The review also underscored that many cash-strapped police forces lack the necessary resources and technological capabilities to effectively monitor and manage online content. A communications officer cited in the report stated, "We have no proper answer for managing misinformation and disinformation."
Sir Andy called for action from social media companies to swiftly remove misleading posts and for regulatory body Ofcom to be granted enhanced powers to enforce accountability. He stated, "These companies have got to have responsibility, irrespective of whether they are led from China or America." Furthermore, he urged police leaders to adopt a more courageous stance in combating misinformation and ensuring accurate information is made publicly available.
Despite previous national assessments indicating that the risk of unrest was low, the report claimed that warning signs were evident, pointing to historical incidents where hotels accommodating asylum seekers had been targeted. Cooke expressed that the police response was not sufficiently prioritised in anticipating and addressing the potential for violence.
The report also judged police forces as inadequately prepared for the situation, with one intelligence officer commenting that police "wrote the manual as it happened." This lack of preparedness was compounded by the failure to implement recommendations made after previous riots in 2011 and 2021.
Speaking on the report's findings, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), argued that the review did not accurately appreciate the role of policing in managing harmful online content. He contended that law enforcement should not bear the sole responsibility for the accuracy of online information. "Responsibility for ensuring information is accurate and does not fuel harm lies with those posting it, platform providers, and regulatory bodies," he stated, while nevertheless acknowledging areas where lessons can be learned.
The findings in the report come on the heels of Rudakubana's sentencing in January, where he was jailed for a minimum of 52 years after pleading guilty to the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, along with multiple attempts to murder others.
The continued analysis of the events surrounding last summer’s riots raises critical questions about the future of policing, social media accountability, and public safety.
Source: Noah Wire Services