The West Midlands police faced a hefty bill of over £2 million due to riots last year, highlighting the ongoing challenges of community safety and misinformation.
He explained that the total cost for the police operation, including investigations, was £2,134,601.07. Foster emphasized that there’s no room for division or hatred in the West Midlands.
The trouble started after three young children tragically lost their lives in Southport. While the West Midlands saw less violence than other areas, police were still called to help out during the unrest.
Foster’s plan focuses on keeping people safe, providing reassurance, and engaging with the community. Panel members wanted to ensure the police would stay vigilant against future threats and misinformation, especially on social media.
Coventry councillor Pervez Akhtar mentioned that the events were not very British. Foster reiterated that division and racism won’t be tolerated, no matter who is responsible.
Birmingham councillor Gareth Moore expressed concern over the violent scenes broadcasted. He pointed out that misinformation on social media fueled protests and counter-protests, which didn’t help the city’s image.
Moore hopes that while tackling extremist views, the focus also includes addressing misinformation that drags people into these toxic debates. Foster agreed, noting that social media can spread harmful misinformation quickly, stirring up unnecessary issues in communities.
