Former police chief Neil Basu has stated that the recent surge in far-right violence in England should be classified as terrorism.

Basu, who previously led counter-terrorism efforts for the Metropolitan Police, warned that escalating anti-immigration protests have turned into acts of terrorism.

The violence has been severe, with rioters setting fire to a library, looting shops, and attacking hotels housing asylum seekers, resulting in nearly 400 arrests.

The unrest was triggered by misinformation surrounding a tragic stabbing incident in Southport, which has heightened community tensions.

Concerns are growing that the unrest may spread further, with anti-immigration protesters reportedly planning attacks on immigration lawyers, as lists of targets circulate online.

The Law Society of England and Wales has raised alarms about the safety of its members following the dissemination of these targeted lists.

Basu condemned far-right activist Tommy Robinson for inciting violence and called for harsher penalties for those involved in these acts.

UK ministers have engaged with social media companies to combat the spread of misinformation that has fueled the violence.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council expects an increase in arrests as investigations into the riots continue.

In response to the rising number of accused rioters, ministers plan to create over 500 new prison places.

The violence has raised concerns about a potential new wave of unrest, particularly targeting migration lawyers and communities of color.

Despite the violent acts, it remains unclear if police are officially classifying the riot-related crimes as terrorism under the law.