he recent unrest in the UK can be a case study in the impact of misinformation, fake news running on social media.

The riots in Southport are a stark illustration of the dangers posed by misinformation. On this occasion, false reports circulated on social media, claiming that a young Muslim man was involved in a knife crime incident, resulting in the death of three innocent children and serious injuries to nine others. This unfounded allegation rapidly gained traction, inciting public outrage and violent riots. As a result53 police officers were injured; of them fainted. Two police vans were set on fire. The police repeatedly appealed to the public to disregard the fake news. Initially, their effortswere overwhelmed by the speed and virality of the misinformation. This incident underscores how misinformation can easily ignite public sentiment and lead to violent outcomes, despite official attempts to quell the unrest.

In another significant incident, a protest erupted at Manchester Airport following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer kicking and stomping on two young British Pakistanis. The footage, depicting only the latter part of the altercation, sparked immediate condemnation and protests.

Witnesses reported seeing anotherofficer filming the beating of one of the men. Simultaneously, another officer was seen brutally beating and kicking the second man. The victims were also subjectto taser assault.

In response to the widespread outrage, the community organised a protest in front of the local police station.The footage elicited condemnation from all corners, including Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer, various others politicians, the home secretary and citizens from diverse backgrounds. The deplorable behavior of the officers was perceived by many as racially motivated. This further fuelled the public anger. Resultantly eight police officers were suspended by the Greater Manchester Police for alleged racial discrimination. Dal Babu,a former chief superintendent, described the footage as “totally appalling” and suggested that racism had a significant role in the incident.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct then initiated a criminal investigation. The officer involved was suspended from serviceThe IOPC is examining charges of misconduct, breach of professional standards and abuse of power. The investigation aims to ensure accountability and transparency in addressing this serious breach of conduct.

Home Minister for Police Diana Johnson said she understood the public’s concerns and acknowledged the gravity of the situation. MPs Afzal Khan, Naz Shah and Yasmin Qureshi also condemned the incident, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for a thorough investigation and visible justice.

At Manchester Airport, a protest erupted following the viral spread of a video showing a police officer kicking and stomping on two young British Pakistanis.

The community’s condemnation of the brutal treatment of two youths at Manchester Airport has highlighted deep-seated issues within law enforcement practice. The unfolding investigation by the IOPC is crucial in restoring public trust and ensuring that such incidents are met with appropriate consequences.

CCTV footage of the early part of the altercation was releasedthe day after the incident. The footage showed the two British Pakistanis fighting some police officers.The police said that three of their officers were injured and that more armed police had to be called. Mayor Andy Burnham, who had condemned the incident when the first footage went viral, latersaid that politicians should not be part of a rush to judgment.“We should have to wait for the investigation.”

The incident at Manchester Airport was widely perceived as an example of Islamophobia and racism. Concerns arose that the ensuing protests might be hijacked by miscreants. Fortunately, they concluded peacefully.

The behaviour of armed police at Manchester Airport appeared to be racially motivated. The mother of one of the victims was deeply shocked by the police action. The family alleged that the Pakistan High Commissioner in the UK had failed to provide adequate support to them during the ordeal.

The unrest in the UK is informed by underlying issues of racism and police negligence. Statistics issued by the Home Office reveal worrisome trends in crime resolution and the administration of justice. Nearly 600 crimes go unsolved each day so that a total of 2,159,583 cases were closed last year without a suspect being identified. This represents a 10 percent increase over the previous year, highlighting a growing issue of unsolved crimes. In contrast, only 314,010 cases last year resulted in a suspect being charged or summoned.

The most common reason for a case being closed – 39.3 percent - is the police failure to identify a suspect. Only 5.7 percent of offences in England and Wales resulted in a charge or summons. These statistics suggest significant inefficiencies and potential bias in the policing and judicial systems, contributing to public distrust and inflaming social tensions.

The writer is a correspondent in London for Geo News, Daily Jang and The News International