’Visitors from India are advised to…’: Indian Embassy alerts citizens in UK to stay vigilant. Here is why

The Indian Embassy in London, on Tuesday, advised visitors from India to stay vigilant and exercise due caution while travelling in the UK. Rioting and lawlessness have recently swept Great Britain due to misinformation on social media. The misinformation stirred anger over a stabbing rampage that killed three young girls and wounded many others. 

“It is advisable to follow local news and advisories issued by local security agencies and to avoid areas where protests are underway,” the Indian High Commission in London said in its statement, reported the ANI.

The Commission further mentioned that it is closely monitoring the situation. “Indian travellers would be aware of recent disturbances in some parts of the United Kingdom. The High Commission of India in London is closely monitoring the situation," it said.

UK Protests: Belfast, Darlington, Plymouth in focus

The violence began hours after residents held a vigil for the girls killed and injured in the dance class. Rumours spread online that the suspect was a Muslim and an asylum seeker led to angry crowds attacking Southport’s mosque on August 4.

The fights escalated on Monday night as mobs attacked police in Belfast, Darlington and Plymouth regions. Devon and Cornwall Police arrested six people in Plymouth, while several officers suffered minor injuries in the violence, reported the BBC.

The BBC report said rioters threw stones and petrol bombs at police officers when they were on duty in an area close to a supermarket that was set on fire over the weekend. Authorities have arrested at least 400 people since the rioting began.

Speaking about the violence, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the acts were of violence and not protests. The Devon and Cornwall police said they would not tolerate hatred and violence.

According to AFP reports, demonstrators also threw chairs, flares and bricks at officers in the northwestern English city of Liverpool as fights erupted between police and rioters in nearby Manchester.