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'Not a law free zone'
More than 741 people have now been arrested in connection with the unrest, of which 302 have been charged, the National Police Chiefs' Council said on Friday.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is "absolutely convinced" having extra police officers on the streets "in the right places" over the past few days - as well as putting rioters - through the courts quickly has "had a real impact" after 100 planned protests failed to materialise on Wednesday evening. The former lawyer also reiterated those who incite violence online will be prosecuted, saying the government does need to look "more broadly" at social media following the unrest. "This is not a law free zone," he said. "And I think that's clear from the prosecutions and sentencing today for online behaviour. "That's a reminder to everyone that whether you're directly involved or whether you're remotely involved, you're culpable and you will be put before the courts if you've broken the law."
Meanwhile, Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sky News on Friday the government would revisit the framework of legislation that regulates the responsibilities of social media companies regarding content inciting violence or hate. "We stand ready to make changes if necessary," he said of the Online Safety Act, passed in October, but not due to come into effect until next year.
'Soviet Russia', says Joe Rogan
However, high-profile figures in the US, including billionaire X owner Elon Musk and right-wing podcaster Joe Rogan, have criticised British police for going after rioters on social media. Rogan said the "crackdown" reminds him of "Soviet Russia" while Musk shared a Sky News post of the director of public prosecutions warning that sharing online material of riots could be an offence. Musk's repost said: "This is actually happening."
https://news.sky.com/story/jordan-parlour-facebook-user-jailed-for-riot-related-social-media-posts-13193894