UPDATE - Government adviser suggests COVID-style measures to suppress far-right riots across Britain

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By Burak Bir and Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - A government advisor suggested coronavirus-style measures to take back control of streets as violent riots erupted in several cities Saturday in the UK following the fatal stabbings of three young girls at a dance class earlier this week.

John Woodcock told Times Radio that he thinks the government and new ministers would understand the British public would support them in whatever measures they feel is necessary to get the situation under control.

"Hopefully we can see this petering out now over the next few days and the extra effort which is being put on forces being able to have effect," he said.

Woodcock, who was a former Labour Party MP, added: "Back in COVID, they were prepared to back measures that were needed in that situation and I think they would take a similar approach to keeping rioters off the streets now given the scale of damage that has been done to communities."

His remarks were made after police officers were injured in clashes between far-right protesters and anti-fascist demonstrators. Police made several arrests following the clashes, as authorities struggled to maintain order.

In Liverpool, the situation has been particularly tense, according to media reports.

Police reported that several officers have been injured while attempting to separate opposing groups.

A video clip showed a stall offering free Qurans being attacked in the city’s center.

Far-right protesters clashed with anti-fascist demonstrators who were chanting slogans such as, “Refugees are welcome here” and “Nazi scum, off our streets.”

The confrontation began near Lime Street station and continued as the groups marched toward the Pier Head.

-Meeting with senior ministers

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the disorder, saying the behavior has "no place on Britain's streets," and warned that those responsible would "pay the price."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for law enforcement, urging them to take decisive action against those who "sow hate" and intimidate communities.

While the riots continued, Starmer convened senior ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Cooper, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Policing Minister Diana Johnson to discuss “incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.”

Reports indicate that in addition to the injuries sustained by officers, acts of vandalism have occurred. In Sunderland, a police building was ransacked and the Citizens Advice premises next door was set on fire.

Northumbria Police confirmed 10 arrests and reported four officers were hospitalized.

Similar unrest was reported in Hull, where Humberside Police said three officers were injured during clashes in the city center.

Four people have been arrested in connection with public order violations, and a dispersal order has been issued to control the chaos.

Merseyside Police have been actively working to control the situation in Liverpool, where they faced significant resistance.

Protesters threw eggs, bottles and smoke canisters, with some masked demonstrators in the crowd chanting anti-immigrant slogans. Additional police reinforcements have been deployed to the area and a police plane is monitoring the situation from above.

Shoppers and visitors to Liverpool’s iconic waterfront have expressed surprise and concern about the protests, questioning the connection to the tragic events in Southport earlier in the week where the girls were killed.

- Businesses attacked, cars, trash bins set on fire in Belfast

Video footage on social media showed a Black man being attacked in Bristol earlier Sunday.

Businesses were also attacked and cars, a building and trash bins were set on fire in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said earlier that it is treating reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and said two arrests had been made.

The Sunderland protest late Friday was among several planned in the UK this weekend.

The protests have been fueled by social media misinformation about the background and religion of the 17-year-old suspect in the murders.

Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate has reported up to 35 protests are planned in the UK this weekend, driven by a broad anti-multiculturalism, anti-Muslim and anti-government agenda.

Police and local authorities are on high alert with heightened security measures and road closures in place at several locations.