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Brexit: Police warn MPs and campaigners not to inflame tensions Brexit: Police warn MPs and campaigners not to inflame tensions
(32 minutes later)
Politicians and campaigners should take care not to "inflame" tensions in the UK caused by Brexit, a senior police chief has warned.Politicians and campaigners should take care not to "inflame" tensions in the UK caused by Brexit, a senior police chief has warned.
The Metropolitan Police Service's Assistant Commissioner, Martin Hewitt, said people should think carefully to avoid inciting others to violence. Chairman of the National Police Chief Council (NPCC), Martin Hewitt, said people should think carefully to avoid inciting others to violence.
The warning follows increased concern about intimidation of MPs.
Police have 10,000 officers ready to deploy at 24 hours' notice as part of possible no-deal Brexit preparations.Police have 10,000 officers ready to deploy at 24 hours' notice as part of possible no-deal Brexit preparations.
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said the measure was only a precaution and they do not expect major problems in any Brexit scenario. However, police chiefs said the measures were only a precaution.
Mr Hewitt, who is also chairman of the NPCC, said the UK was in "an incredibly febrile atmosphere" as a result of the debate over leaving the EU and there was a lot of "angry talk" on social media. Mr Hewitt said the NPCC preparing for the "worst case scenario" and was not predicting major problems.
Chief Constable Charlie Hall, the NPCC lead for operations, also said there was no intelligence to suggest there would be a rises in crime or disorder because of Brexit, although forces were "prepared to respond to any issues that may arise".
The warnings follow increased concern about intimidation of MPs.
Mr Hewitt said the UK was in "an incredibly febrile atmosphere" as a result of the debate over leaving the EU and there was a lot of "angry talk" on social media.
He said: "I think there is a responsibility on those individuals that have a platform and have a voice to communicate in a way that is temperate and is not in any way going to inflame people's views."He said: "I think there is a responsibility on those individuals that have a platform and have a voice to communicate in a way that is temperate and is not in any way going to inflame people's views."
Officers in charge of policing Parliament said they had seen an increase in abuse aimed at politicians and several MPs have requested increased security.Officers in charge of policing Parliament said they had seen an increase in abuse aimed at politicians and several MPs have requested increased security.
Speaker John Bercow condemned the behaviour of protesters as a "type of fascism" after Remain-supporting MP Anna Soubry was verbally abused at Westminster, while one pro-Brexit MP took to wearing a body camera on his way in and out of Parliament. Commons Speaker John Bercow condemned the behaviour of protesters as a "type of fascism" after Remain-supporting MP Anna Soubry was verbally abused at Westminster, while one pro-Brexit MP took to wearing a body camera on his way in and out of Parliament.
Only a small number of crimes have been linked directly to Brexit, police said, with about half being malicious communications, while the rest included verbal abuse, harassment and offences committed during protests.Only a small number of crimes have been linked directly to Brexit, police said, with about half being malicious communications, while the rest included verbal abuse, harassment and offences committed during protests.
But hate crimes remain higher than before the 2016 EU referendum.But hate crimes remain higher than before the 2016 EU referendum.
In 2017-18, there were 94,098 hate crimes recorded, a 17% rise that is thought to have also been fuelled by the terror attacks in London and Manchester.In 2017-18, there were 94,098 hate crimes recorded, a 17% rise that is thought to have also been fuelled by the terror attacks in London and Manchester.
After warnings of disruptions at the border and to food supply chains if the UK leaves without a deal, police said they had plans to deal with incidents such as problems on the roads, major protests or even rioting and looting.After warnings of disruptions at the border and to food supply chains if the UK leaves without a deal, police said they had plans to deal with incidents such as problems on the roads, major protests or even rioting and looting.
They said they would be able to deploy 1,000 officers at an hour's notice, or more than 10,000 drawn from across England and Wales within 24 hours - more than were used in the 2011 London riots.They said they would be able to deploy 1,000 officers at an hour's notice, or more than 10,000 drawn from across England and Wales within 24 hours - more than were used in the 2011 London riots.
Specialised teams such as dog handlers, armed police and search-trained officers would be available, while 1,000 officers have received extra training so they could be deployed to Northern Ireland.Specialised teams such as dog handlers, armed police and search-trained officers would be available, while 1,000 officers have received extra training so they could be deployed to Northern Ireland.
But Chief Constable Charlie Hall, the NPCC lead for operations, said he has warned those in charge of supply chains for food, fuel and other essentials to make their own preparations as officers will only be used "if absolutely necessary". But Mr Hall said he has warned those in charge of supply chains for food, fuel and other essentials to make their own preparations as officers will only be used "if absolutely necessary".