Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones clarifies position on violent disorder across the UK

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has issued a statement to clarify her position on the upsurge of violent protests.

Speaking on the issue on Sunday 4 August, the Commissioner said: “I want to be clear that the violence that has erupted across the UK this week has been criminal, unlawful and senseless.

“I stand by my statement issued yesterday where I called for calm, and for the country to work together stop this mindless, criminal behaviour.

“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it.

“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected lawful protest on a much broader issue.

“As a country this issue is something we should seek to understand without letting it divide us.

“I am confident there will be a time and place for that discussion in due course.”

This follows the statement put out by the Commissioner on Saturday 3rd August, which was made in her capacity as Police Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and not as the Chair of the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners.

The original statement has been amended to reflect that.

Police Commissioner Calls for Calm and Honesty – issued Saturday 3 August

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has called for calm following the upsurge in violent protests up and down the country.

In a statement addressing the issue on Saturday 3 August, she said: “The rioting and civil unrest across the country following the murder of three children in Southport on Monday, has escalated to a worrying level. Police officers have been injured, buildings have been targeted because of those living in them or worshiping at them and police cars and vans set on fire. Millions of pounds of damage has been done and more than 100 people have been arrested, with many more expected.

“Police stations are burning, police officers’ annual leave has been cancelled and riot police are dusting off their shields from Land’s End to John O’ Groats. The behaviour of some of those protesting has been extremely violent, highly distressing and absolutely criminal.

“This weekend a number of protests are planned across the country and across political and ideological spectrums.

“The announcement of the Prime Minister’s new Violent Crime Units have lead to an accusation of two tier policing, which has enflamed protestors who state they are battling to protect Britain’s sovereignty, identity and stop illegal immigration. Burning towns and cities and attacking the police is not the answer, so how do we stop it?

“I’ve spoken to people from both sides of the spectrum and the only way to stem the tide of violent disorder, is to acknowledge what is causing it.

“Whilst the devastating attacks in Southport on Monday were a catalyst, the commonality amongst the protest groups appears to be focused on three key areas: the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty; the need to uphold British values and in order to do this, stop illegal immigration. The growth of feeling across the country has mirrored (to a lesser extent) the rebellion to illegal immigration that has played out across France over the last 12 months.

“The government must acknowledge what is causing this civil unrest in order to prevent it. Arresting  people, or creating violent disorder units, is treating the symptom and not the cause. The questions these people want answering; what is the government’s solution to mass uncontrolled immigration? How are the new Labour government going to uphold and build on British values? This is the biggest challenge facing Sir Kier Starmer’s government, and its bitten quickly.

“As a national police leader, and a Police and Crime Commissioner, someone who has spent almost two decades representing the public, this is the clear message I will put to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary this week.

“We all need to work together to stop this mindless criminal behaviour committed by a small number of people, whilst understanding the views of those attending rallies who feel strongly but don’t cause disorder.”