Vast majority of Brits blame immigration for unrest – poll

Migration policy, ‘influencers’, and social media have all been identified as contributing factors to recent nationwide riots, according to a new survey.

Two-thirds of Britons believe that the country’s immigration policy played a significant role in the recent wave of riots, as revealed by a poll published on Sunday.

The unrest led to a widespread crackdown on disorder and online dissent across the nation. The riots erupted after a teenager of Rwandan descent fatally stabbed three children and injured ten others in Southport, near Liverpool. The protests quickly escalated into broader anti-immigration demonstrations, culminating in an arson attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

A survey conducted by Savanta, involving 2,237 participants, found that 82% of respondents held the rioters responsible for the unrest, with 75% attributing blame to certain groups and influencers. However, 64% believe that the UK’s immigration policy is the root cause of the crisis, while 59% pointed to the Southport stabbings as the trigger.

44% blamed PM Keir Starmer for the riots.

The British government responded with a draconian crackdown, leading to over 1,000 arrests, 480 charges, and 99 sentences, with additional actions taken against individuals for online activities. The survey also revealed a divided public opinion on the government’s handling of the situation, with nearly half approving and a significant portion criticising the response.