King thanks police in wake of riots as officers remain on 'high alert' braced for weekend
Anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters gathered in Belfast, as ITV News Correspondent John Ray reports
The King has offered his “heartfelt thanks” to the police for restoring order after speaking to Sir Keir Starmer and police leaders following the week of unrest across the UK.
Charles and the prime minister held a phone call on Friday evening, Buckingham Palace said.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, held a separate joint call with the King.
“In these calls, His Majesty was updated on the current situation and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in those areas that have been affected by violent disorder,” a Palace spokesperson said.
The King is also said to have “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 spokesperson added: “It remains His Majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”
ITV News Correspondent John Ray reports live from Belfast, where counter-protesters and anti-immigration protesters gathered on Friday night
It comes as around a thousand people gathered in Belfast for a counter-protest against several hundred anti-immigration demonstrators on Friday evening.
A large police presence had set up barriers to keep the two groups separate.
Trade union banners and signs with anti-racism messages were being held aloft at the counter-protest, with chants of “When migrant lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back” and “Belfast is anti-fascist”.
Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said police expected a very busy weekend across Northern Ireland with a risk of spontaneous protest as well as scheduled events such as the Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Londonderry and the West Belfast Festival.
Audiences with the King have taken place in a week where riots across the UK have slowly started to dissipate.
Starmer has reiterated that police should remain on “high alert” going into the weekend.
More and more people who have taken part in the disorder have appeared in courtrooms across the UK.
Some 741 people have now been arrested, of which 302 have been charged, over rioting in parts of the country in the wake of the deaths of three young girls in Southport, the NPCC said.
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