‘Do not visit UK protest areas’ travel alert issued in Malaysia as violent riots bring havoc to streets

Malaysia has become the first country to issue a travel warning to its citizens visiting the UK, following a week of dangerous and violent protests.

The notice was released via Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which said it is ‘closely monitoring the series of riots currently taking place in several areas of the United Kingdom, following the stabbing incident in Southport on July 29’.

Malaysians were urged to register their presence with the country’s High Commission in London, reports the Mirror.

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The ministry said: “Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.”

Three young girls were stabbed and killed while attending a dance event in Southport, with eight more children seriously injured. Two adults were also left in a critical condition, sparking false rumours online about the suspect’s background, ethnicity and religion.

On Sunday (August 4), there were riots in Middlesbrough and Rotherham. Hundreds of far-right protesters squared up to police shields at Middlesbrough’s Cenotaph, throwing bricks cans and pots at officers.

One group in Middlesbrough walked through a residential area smashing the windows of houses and cars as a Holiday Inn housing migrants was stormed and set ablaze.

There was unrest on Saturday (August 3) in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured. It followed a riot in Sunderland on Friday evening.

Following violence across a number of major British cities, the Government has said thugs who engage in criminal disorder on the streets will ‘pay the price’. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to ‘do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice as quickly as possible’ amid the violence

He told reporters that time has been spent over recent days working with police and the justice system to “make sure that the necessary arrangements for law enforcement are in place”.

He added: “Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow.

“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves. This is not a protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”