Carlisle’s MP has praised the response of Cumbria Constabulary to threats of violence erupting in the city last night.
Carlisle MP Julie Minns said: “There will have been a great deal of anxiety in Carlisle last night at the suggestion that our city might witness the violent thuggery and criminal disorder we have seen elsewhere in the country.
“Cumbria police took decisive action to deal with that risk with a dispersal order. I have been in touch with them throughout the day and they have my full support in taking the action they did.
“I am pleased too to see that our police have taken swift action to tackle content online. I would like to pay tribute to the police officers and emergency service workers who have responded with the utmost professionalism in difficult circumstances.
“The riots we have seen this week are not freedom of speech, or the expression of legitimate concerns, or the understandable frustration at feeling unheard. No, this is the deliberate action of a minority intent on criminal disorder, dangerous extremism and racist attacks, and this minority will face the full force of the law.
“There are hundreds and thousands of people who are angry about poverty, about our crumbling health services, and yes about immigration, but who do not attack the police, march on mosques, burn buildings, loot shops and whip up Islamophobia online.
“There is nothing that can justify violent disorder, and those who perpetrate it will pay the price.
“What we have seen in recent days goes against everything this country stands for.
“But we have also seen another side to Britain – communities coming together to clean up their streets, residents pulling together to repair damage and to support each other, Citizens Advice volunteers and community centres looking for new places from which to offer their local services. These are the people who speak for our towns, our cities, and our country.”
