LONDON (AP) 鈥 King Charles III has applauded people who took to the streets of British towns and cities earlier this week to help blunt days of unrest fueled by far-right activists and misinformation about a stabbing attack that killed three girls.
Charles on Friday held telephone audiences with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and law enforcement officials during which he offered his 鈥渉eartfelt thanks鈥 to police and other emergency workers for their efforts to restore order and help those affected by the violence, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
鈥淭he king shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many," the palace said. 鈥淚t remains his majesty鈥檚 hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation."
British police remain on alert for further violence after the nation was convulsed by rioting for more than a week as crowds spouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans attacked mosques, looted shops and clashed with police. The government described the violence as 鈥渇ar-right thuggery,鈥 and mobilized 6,000 specially trained police officers to quell the unrest.
The disturbances have been to about the July 29 knife attack in which three girls between the ages of 6 and 9 were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, a seaside town north of Liverpool.
Police detained a 17-year-old suspect. Rumors, later debunked, quickly circulated on social media that the suspect was an asylum-seeker, or a Muslim immigrant.
On Saturday, the family of one of the Southport victims, Bebe King, 6, thanked their community, friends and even strangers who had offered the family solace in their grief.
鈥淭he outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time,'' they wrote. 鈥滷rom the pink lights illuminating Sefton and Liverpool, to the pink bows, flowers, balloons, cards, and candles left in her memory, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family.''
The , when a wave of expected far-right demonstrations failed to materialize after thousands of peaceful protesters flocked to locations around the U.K. to show their support for immigrants and asylum-seekers.
Police had prepared for confrontations at more than 100 locations after right-wing groups circulated lists of potential targets on social media. While anti-racism groups planned counterprotests in response, in most places they reclaimed the streets with nothing to oppose.
Starmer has insisted the police will remain on high alert this weekend, which marks the beginning of the professional soccer season. Authorities have been studying whether there is a link between the rioters and groups of 鈥渇ootball hooligans鈥 known to incite trouble at soccer matches.
鈥淢y message to the police and all of those that are charged with responding to disorder is maintain that high alert,鈥 Starmer said on Friday while visiting the special operations room of London鈥檚 Metropolitan Police Service.
The 春色直播 Police Chiefs鈥 Council said some 741 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, including 304 who have been charged with criminal offenses.
Courts around the country have already begun hearing the cases of those , with some receiving sentences of three years in prison.
Starmer has said he is convinced that the 鈥渟wift justice that has been dispensed in our courts鈥 will discourage rioters from returning to the streets this weekend.
