Communities come together to support as shops ransacked during unrest

Communities across the country are coming together to pick up pieces after looters ransacked shops across the UK, taking advantage of Friday (2) night's chaos.

More than 150 arrests were made over the course of two days as far-right thugs smashed up cars, looted shops, attacked police and set fire to buildings. Riots erupted across the country, including in Belfast, Hull, Rotherham, Bristol and Middlesbrough, in response to the Southport attacks last week.

Convenience stores like King Store in Liverpool and Windsor Mini Mart in Southport were ransacked amidst the violence. Rioters in Manchester caused chaos in a Sainsbury's supermarket, leaving the store in a mess and forcing it to close.

Multiple fundraisers have been launched to support businesses damaged and local services hit by the violence. The the crowdfunding page to support retailer Chanaka Balasuryla who owns Windsor Mini Mart has raised about £14,635.

According to reports, Belfast locals raised £70,000 on GoFundMe to support businesses damaged in what was described as racially-motivated attacks. Turkish barbers and cafés were hit by the city's violence on Saturday, as organiser Stephen Montgomery said enough was raised to be able to help even more businesses affected.

Apart from fund raising, locals are also seen coming forward in the cleaning process. Like, locals joined council workers to clear up around the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Manvers, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Police officers stood guard outside the main entrance and at other locations around the building as teams swept up glass from the numerous broken windows at the front of the hotel.

Meanwhile, Downing Street meanwhile has confirmed it will be holding an emergency Cobra meeting today (5) in response to the disorder, with plans for courts to sit through the night to deal with those charged. Prime minister Keir Starmer on Sunday (4) condemned what he described as “far-right thuggery” and said perpetrators would face the full force of the law after days of violent anti-immigration protests intensified, with buildings and vehicles torched and hotels holding asylum seekers targeted.

Today's meeting is due to involve relevant ministers and police representatives who will discuss the response in the coming days to ensure there is no repeat of the violent scenes. Across the weekend, dozens of people were arrested after violent disorder broke out in major towns across the UK including Liverpool, Hull and Bristol.

Sir Keir said he wanted those who "feel targeted because of the colour of their skin" to know "this violent mob do not represent our country".

Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) said it is “conscious” of the effect that this might have on its members, who may be affected or concerned about being impacted over the coming days.

The trade body said it is working to provide help and guidance to retailers and colleagues during this time, and highlighted that help for retailers and colleagues is available through crisis support at GroceryAid, whom the ACS said are prepared for calls related to these incidents.

ACS added that they are also in discussion with the Home Office about the way the Riot Compensation Act’s provisions can be applied in these incidents, where retailers will be able to claim compensation if they have been impacted by a riot. In addition, ACS will be feeding in its members’ experiences through the Home Office and other departments so they can be fed into COBRA and other government briefings in the ongoing response.