UK protests: No 10 to hold Cobra meeting over escalating violence

During the televised address, he warned those involved that they will “regret” taking part.

“People in this country have a right to be safe, and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques,” the prime minister said.

“Other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.”

In a statement on Sunday, the Home Office offered mosques greater protections as part of a new process, under which it said “rapid security” deployment can be requested in order to allow a return to worship as fast as possible.

Monday’s meeting of the emergency committee, known as Cobra, will be intended to provide the government with an update on the violence over the weekend and the response in the coming days.

It will involve relevant ministers and police representatives.

Sources suggested this should be seen in the context of meetings that have already taken place, such as one between the Prime Minister and police chiefs last Thursday, and a meeting of senior ministers on Saturday.