British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had promised that the rioters would suffer "the full force of the law." Two weeks after the start of the racist violence that affected many towns in the United Kingdom, following the death of three children in a knife attack in the town of Southport on July 29, falsely attributed on social media to a recent migrant of the Muslim faith, the British courts have indeed increased their severe sentences.

According to a BBC count on Tuesday, August 13, almost all those already convicted for their part in the violence have been sent to prison. Out of 54 convictions, 47 adults and 3 minors have been given a custodial sentence, averaging two years. A total of 275 people are being prosecuted for their role in the riots. Those who pleaded guilty were tried under a fast-track procedure; the others were almost systematically remanded in custody, pending trials that are expected to take place mainly in September.

Penalties were particularly severe for those not directly involved in the riots, but who incited violence on social media. In Northampton, a 26-year-old man who had called for the burning of hotels and law firms helping migrants was sentenced to three years and two months in prison. The police hadn't had much trouble tracking him down: He'd posted the messages on his X account, on which he was listed under his real name and with a real profile photo.

The Labour government has also announced its intention to strengthen laws against online hate, without specifying how. In 2023, the UK adopted a new law, the Online Safety Act, which provides a comprehensive framework for social media.

Among those who were convicted of acts of physical violence, the profiles were relatively diverse. While the vast majority of those on trial were white males, defendants ranged in age from 12 to 69, including the unemployed, wage earners and pensioners. Only a small proportion of those convicted already had a criminal record; many explained during the hearings that they had got carried away, without being able to explain the level of violence committed, particularly against police officers.

A handful of counter-demonstrators were also among those sentenced – in Leeds, two men were sentenced to firm prison terms after fighting with a group of men flying English flags. And a local Labour councilor from the London suburbs, Ricky Jones, was remanded in custody – he is to stand trial for inciting violence, after saying that right-wing extremists should have their throats "cut" at a demonstration.

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