May 7, 2025 — The UK police watchdog has issued a report urging law enforcement to do more in countering online misinformation following the violent summer riots that shook Britain last year. According to the report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the riots were not the result of coordinated actions by specific groups but were fueled by false narratives circulating online.
The unrest, primarily driven by far-right supporters, erupted during anti-immigration protests across Britain, ignited by misleading information about a tragic event. Last summer, a British teenager, Axel Rudakubana, killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport. False rumors online falsely identified Rudakubana as an Islamist migrant, inflaming racial tensions.
False Narratives Fueling Unrest
The HMICFRS report emphasized that the riots were largely instigated by disaffected individuals, influencers, and groups spreading misinformation rather than extremist factions or criminal organizations. The report noted, “The causes of the disorder were complex, but the overwhelming speed and volume of online content further fueled its spread.”
The rapid development of online communications, according to the watchdog, caught law enforcement off-guard. Policing unrest and misinformation requires innovation and a proactive approach, rather than a passive response. The report urged that UK police forces must adapt to the fast-evolving nature of online content and take a more active stance in addressing false narratives that could lead to civil unrest.
Police Should Not Be Caught Off-Guard Again
The HMICFRS found that police failed to prioritize intelligence on public disorder effectively, and lessons from previous outbreaks of unrest were not sufficiently implemented. Chief Inspector Andy Cooke stressed, “Policing cannot be passive when public safety is at risk,” and insisted that the police “should not be caught off-guard again” in future incidents.
Mixed Responses from Law Enforcement
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) welcomed the findings of the report but argued that it overlooked the realities of policing harmful online content. The NPCC contended that law enforcement should not be expected to regulate social media platforms, a responsibility it believes lies with platform providers and regulators. The council emphasized that without effective detection, moderation, and removal of misleading content, misinformation will continue to fuel unrest unchecked.
The debate continues about the role of social media regulation and the responsibilities of police forces versus tech companies in managing harmful online narratives that can lead to violent protests and unrest.
Conclusion
As the UK grapples with the challenges of policing in the digital age, the watchdog’s report highlights the urgent need for law enforcement to stay ahead of online misinformation. With violent protests driven by false narratives posing a growing threat to public safety, addressing this issue is now a priority for UK police forces and government regulators.
