King praises police for facing riot ‘aggression’

King Charles, currently in Scotland, spoke in a joint call to Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council and to UK Gold Commander Ben Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex, thanking the police for their efforts and getting an update on the disorder.

“The King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many,” said a palace spokesman.

King Charles has been a longstanding campaigner for building bridges between different faiths and cultures – calling Britain “a community of communities”.

But it is not expected that the King will make any immediate visits to trouble spots until the unrest is over, with the initial response to the protests seen as being the responsibility of the government, rather than the politically-neutral monarch.

This follows the pattern seen after the outbreak of riots in 2011, during which Queen Elizabeth didn’t put out any messages, but royal visits took place after calm had been restored.

The King, then Prince Charles, subsequently visited Tottenham and other affected areas to encourage cross-community relations in the wake of the riots.