Police ill-equipped to tackle impact of online content during serious disorder
Police need to be better prepared to manage the risks online content poses to the public, and must prioritise intelligence on disorder, the police inspectorate has warned.
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An inspection of the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024: Tranche 2
On Monday 29 July 2024, three young girls, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, were killed in a knife attack in Southport. Following these tragic events, widespread unrest and violent disorder broke out in many towns and cities across the UK.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary was commissioned by the Home Secretary to carry out a rapid review into the policing response to the disorder, to identify lessons for the future. In December 2024, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published part one. This included an assessment of the police service’s capacity and capability to handle violent disorder. Part two, published today, examines intelligence gathering, managing online content and crime investigations.
The inspectorate found that most forces investigated offences quickly, professionally and thoroughly, working well with the criminal justice system to bring offenders to justice.
HMICFRS found no conclusive evidence that the 2024 disorder was deliberately premediated and co-ordinated by any specific group or network. Inspectors said that it was mostly disaffected individuals, influencers or groups that incited people to act violently and take part in disorder, rather than criminal factions or extremists. And it was mainly unrelated to their ideology or political views. The causes of the disorder were complex, but the overwhelming speed and volume of online content further fuelled its spread.
But the inspectorate said that the police service simply hasn’t kept pace with the fast-developing nature of online communications. Forces need to better appreciate how fast-moving events will require them to counter false narratives online and be innovative in their approach. Policing cannot be passive when public safety is at risk.
HMICFRS found that the police service doesn’t sufficiently prioritise intelligence on disorder and that lessons hadn’t been learnt from previous outbreaks, including reacting to changing public sentiment. National risk assessments for public disorder need to be updated in response to changing threats, and the police service needs to have a better intelligence strategy or plan in place. At a time of national emergency, this plan should be clear and obvious to all.
Inspectors said that unless regulation and enforcement of illegal content is strengthened, and the capability is established for its immediate removal, the provisions of the Online Safety Act will have little or no bearing on the real-time effects of online content related to rapidly evolving serious disorder. In the context of a national emergency, once content is posted the potential harm is near instant.
HMICFRS has made three further recommendations for chief constables, police forces and others to take forward, focused on enhancing force, regional and national plans. These include creating and beginning work on plans to improve:
- the police service’s understanding and response to the risks associated with online content;
- how the police service collects, analyses and communicates intelligence about disorder; and
- how the police service investigates offences associated with large-scale disorder.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke said:
“The attack in Southport which led to the loss of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, was devastatingly tragic. My thoughts remain with the victims’ families and those affected.
“Following this, we saw violent disorder spread quickly across many towns and cities, with forces across the country working hard to keep the public safe. And I am sure they will agree that in the face of extensive violence, officers displayed immense bravery. Investigations by most forces were carried out quickly, thoroughly and professionally, with some still investigating crimes in the wake of the disorder. The swift work of the criminal justice system in handing down significant sentences also undoubtedly had a deterrent effect.
“The causes of the disorder were complex. Predominantly, people who took part lived locally. But the events that led to the arrests of those involved included largely overt expressions of disaffection that took place online and on the streets of UK towns and cities. Irrespective of the causes, those involved cannot be excused for their actions.
“The police service needs to learn lessons from previous outbreaks of disorder; it should not be caught off-guard again. It needs to develop a more cohesive intelligence network that informs and supports the police response to simmering tension and unrest.
“I must reinforce the importance and value of neighbourhood policing. As officers establish positive relationships with communities, they develop a deeper understanding of people’s sentiments and feelings. But the emergence of virtual communities, who use social media and other online platforms as their main method of communication, has created additional challenges and demands for policing.
“Forces must be able to deal with the consequences of harmful information that spreads rapidly online. It’s vital that the legislation, regulation and enforcement of illegal online content improves to support this.
“I am disappointed that the police service has still not held a national debrief to learn lessons, over nine months after the disorder happened. Inaction detracts from the good work the police did during the disorder, and it harms the service’s reputation.
“The findings and recommendations from this review are only a starting point. I urge forces to learn from these events, and act now to strengthen their response to future instances of disorder and make sure the public are kept safe.”
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An inspection of the police response to the public disorder in July and August 2024: Tranche 2
Notes
- For further information, the HMICFRS Press Office can be contacted at 0300 071 6781 or HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk.
- On 6 September 2024, the Home Secretary commissioned His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary to carry out a rapid review into the policing response to the disorder, to identify lessons for the future.
- For part 1 of the review, HMICFRS reviewed eight police forces, in areas where violent disorder had taken place. These were: Cleveland Police, Devon and Cornwall Police, Humberside Police, Merseyside Police, Metropolitan Police Service, Northumbria Police, South Yorkshire Police and Staffordshire Police.
- For part 2, HMICFRS reviewed a further five forces, all of which had experienced recent serious disorder prior to the disorder of 2024. These were: Greater Manchester Police, Leicestershire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, South Wales Police and West Yorkshire Police.
- Contributions were also made by a range of national and regional bodies responsible for mobilisation, intelligence, investigations, training and officers’ well-being.
- As part of the investigation, HMICFRS:
- Carried out over 210 interviews involving over 330 people from across the police service.
- Examined more than 700 documents and gathered and assessed over 4,370 pieces of evidence.
- Reviewed over 350 media articles to inform our findings.
- Analysed data from police forces, the NPCC, NPoCC and other police and Government agencies.