Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said respect for the police must be restored after they faced “brazen abuse and contempt” during rioting. She said that attacks on local communities and police are a “disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself.” This comes after widespread disturbances in Bolton , Manchester and elsewhere across the country over the last week.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Ms Cooper said: “As home secretary, I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years.” She added: “As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnight’s violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police and respect for the law.” Police at Victoria Square (Image: Henry Lisowski) She said it was crucial to maintain a strong police response on the ground and keep up the pace of arrests and prosecutions.
Around 6,000 officers have been mobilised to respond to incidents of violence and disorder around the country. Ms Cooper said: “Lots of people across Britain have strong views on law and order, immigration, and the NHS. But they don’t pick up bricks and throw them at the police, loot shops or wreck cars, attack people because of the colour of their skin, or set light to buildings knowing people are inside.
” She added: “The Prime Minister and I made clear to the poli.