'Tough' action from court contributed to 'tipping point' in last night's violence – NPCC chairman
A “harsh sentence” by a British court contributed to a “tipping point” in last night's violence and chaos, the chairman of a police force has said.
More than 160 demonstrations were planned for yesterday, but only a few dozen took place, with many far-right protesters failing to materialise.
Commissioner Gavin Stevens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, told Sky News that those involved in the violence were being pursued “furiously”.
“There have already been many convictions in the courts and the sentences are severe,” he said.
“And I think that's one of the reasons why we saw a tipping point last night in some of the violence from last week.”
He noted that this was not the only reason, as the community was also standing up to send a “strong message” to far-right groups.
Mr Stevens said more than 100 officers were injured after facing “brutal barbarism and violence”.
He described some of his injuries, including “fractures,” “broken bones” and “severe bruising.”
He added that officers sometimes “wake up with flashbacks and nightmares.”
“These are people with children and families and this incident has had a profound impact on them. No officer, staff or volunteer should ever have to face this kind of brutality.”