UK riots prompt urgent travel warnings | United Kingdom | News

Foreign countries have issued travel warnings following widespread riots in the UK. The violent protests, which began in Southport, have spread to other cities across Britain.

Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia have all issued urgent warnings to their citizens living in the UK or planning to travel to the country. In an update released today, the Australian government urged its residents to “exercise a high degree of caution” and “avoid areas where protests are taking place due to the risk of disruption and violence”.

Nigeria’s foreign ministry, based in the capital Abuja, also warned Nigerians that there was “an increased risk of violence and disorder sparked by recent riots in the UK” and that “violence has reached dangerous proportions”.

The statement continued: “Protests by far-right and other extra-parliamentary groups in parts of the UK in recent weeks have been significant and, in some cases, out of control.”

Malaysia was the first country to issue a travel warning on Sunday, urging citizens to “stay away” from dangerous areas and “remain vigilant”.

The government also “strongly encouraged” people living overseas in the UK or visiting for leisure to register with the Malaysian High Commission in London to “receive timely information and assistance”.

The dangerous riots began in Southport last Tuesday, the day after three girls were stabbed to death in the town while taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop.

False rumours about the attacker circulating online following the harrowing incident have sparked fury among anti-immigration rioters across the UK who have targeted hotels and other buildings in recent days.

Several police officers were injured during these violent attacks.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the shocking acts as “far-right violence”.

Over the past six days, more than 370 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said. The body’s chairman, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, said he expected the figure to rise daily as “forces continue to identify those involved and apprehend those responsible”.

He added that work “is continuing around the clock to achieve this.”