By Carole Dennett
The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight says the newly-elected Labour Government must take the blame for riots in Southport following a knife attack in the town which left three children dead.
There has been violent civil unrest in Southport and elsewhere since the murders happened on Tuesday and more trouble is expected this weekend. A 17-year-old boy, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, born in Cardiff to Rwandan immigrants, has now been charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
PCC Donna Jones has issued a statement saying “The announcement of the Prime Minister’s new Violent Crime Units has led to an accusation of two tier policing, which has inflamed protestors who state they are battling to protect Britain’s sovereignty, identity and stop illegal immigration.”
Saying that creating violent disorder units was “Treating the symptom and not the cause”, she added: “As a national police leader, and a PCC, 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.” Before being elected PCC in 2021, Ms Jones was leader of Portsmouth City Council from 2014 to 2018. After being voted out as leader she stood down from the council to stand for the PCC role in 2021.