A list of solicitors firms and names of individuals have been shared as ‘targets’ as the outbreak of unrest and disorder has continued to hit headlines.
Police came under attack across cities across the UK, including Belfast and Plymouth following the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport.
Since the wave of unrest began following a vigil in Southport 400 arrests have been made and police forces have confirmed officers have suffered minor injuries during the riots. In Belfast rioters bombarded police with petrol bombs and a supermarket was seen on fire.
The Law Society of England and Wales have released a statement saying the ‘deplore’ the violent scenes and have ‘serious concerns’ regarding the safety of their members after solicitors firms were shared on a list of targets.
Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: “We deplore the violent scenes and rioting that we have witnessed across the past week.
“We have serious concerns about the safety and wellbeing of our members following names and addresses of a number of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies being shared on a list of targets for further protest and violence this week.
“I have written to the Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Home Secretary today asking that the threats against the legal profession are treated with the utmost seriousness. A direct assault on our legal profession is a direct assault on our democratic values and we are supporting our members who are being targeted.
“It is paramount that justice is done for all those who have been involved in, or are victims of, the riots. We commend the UK government for its swift response and want to see that the necessary support and resources are provided for both prosecution and defence lawyers, courts staff and judiciary in dealing with this emergency.
“The criminal justice system has suffered significant neglect over the last decade and has less resilience and flexibility with severe backlogs in the Magistrates and Crown Courts. The criminal defence profession is also depleted and over-worked and the goodwill of the solicitors who are being called on to work additional antisocial hours is fast running out.”
