Police Appeal for Public Help to Identify 40 Suspects from the 2024 UK Riots

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Police have released images of 40 individuals they are seeking to identify in connection with violent disorder during last summer’s riots across parts of England and Northern Ireland. The appeal comes after more than 1,800 arrests were made following widespread unrest triggered by misinformation spread on social media.

The disturbances, which escalated after false claims emerged about the murder of three girls in Southport by a foreign-born Muslim man, led to mass protests that turned violent in multiple cities. So far, 1,110 individuals have been charged, but investigators say dozens of offenders remain unidentified.

Officers from Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cleveland, Northumbria, and Avon and Somerset police forces have now published high-resolution images of 40 people believed to be involved in serious offences, including public disorder, assault, and property damage.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Drummond-Smith, who is overseeing the national investigation, stressed the importance of community assistance in bringing the remaining suspects to justice. He noted that while police possess strong closed-circuit television (CCTV) and body-worn camera footage, public recognition remains essential to confirming identities.

Drummond-Smith said police are committed to ensuring accountability and preventing further unrest ahead of this year’s summer events. He added that bringing those responsible before the courts would serve as a deterrent to similar criminal activity.

Officers are urging anyone who recognises individuals in the released photos to come forward with information, which can be submitted anonymously if necessary. Authorities say the images have been carefully selected and released in coordination with forces most affected by the riots.

The nationwide appeal is part of a broader effort to rebuild public confidence in policing and reinforce a zero-tolerance stance on violent protest and misinformation-driven unrest. While previous attempts to crowdsource identities through social media yielded mixed results, investigators believe renewed appeals, backed by better-quality visuals, will increase the likelihood of successful identifications.

Police have reiterated that they remain committed to pursuing all viable leads until every outstanding suspect is brought to justice. Members of the public with information are encouraged to contact their local police or the national helpline.