Yvette Cooper: 'Criminal minority of thugs' hijacked grief in Southport
Yvette Cooper has committed to a “rapid review of extremism” after the violent disorder in towns and cities throughout the UK earlier this summer.
The Home Secretary accused the rioters, who were embroiled in disorder after the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport, of “hijacking” grief.
She also pledged “thousands more” neighbourhood police officers and community support officers as part of five “next steps” to improve community cohesion and ensure sufficient public order policing for the future.
In a statement to the Commons on Monday, she said: “While millions of decent people across the country were praying for bereaved families, a criminal minority of thugs and extremists saw only an opportunity to hijack a town’s grief.
“I’ve been concerned for a long time not enough is being done to counter extremism, including both Islamist extremism and far-right extremism, and there’s been no proper strategy in place since 2015.
“I have ordered a rapid review of extremism to ensure we have the strongest possible response to poisonous ideologies that corrode community cohesion and fray the fabric of our democracy.”
Footage: Parliament TV
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