Aussies warned to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ if visiting the UK

Aussies warned to ‘exercise a high degree of caution’ if visiting the UK

Australians visiting the UK have been told to exercise a “high degree of caution” due to the threat of terrorism in the country.

The Smartraveller warning comes after violent riots broke out across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland.

Hundreds of far-right rioters have been arrested after immigrants were attacked across the country in what has been described as the worst outbreak of civil disorder in Britain for 13 years. A hotel housing asylum seekers was even set alight in Tamworth in the north of England.

In the northern town of Middlesborough, rioters smashed the windows of houses and cars believed to be owned by immigrants whilst also attacking police officers.

The violence was fueled by misinformation following the fatal stabbing of three little girls in the seaside town of Southport near Liverpool.

Bebe King (six), Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (nine) died after being stabbed at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class in Southport on the 29th of July. Eight other children sustained knife wounds and two adults were also seriously hurt.

The attack was allegedly carried out by the 17-year-old son of immigrants from Rwanda. The perpetrator was wrongly said to be a Muslim migrant who was on a security service watch list of dangerous terrorists. The failure of authorities to name the ethnicity of the attacker further fueled the false information.

In an update posted on the 6th of August, Australians were warned ‘to avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence. Monitor the media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities.”

The overall threat of terrorism in the UK was put at ‘substantial’ with the top three threats highlighted as Islamic extremism, extreme right-wing ideology and the status of Northern Ireland.

Other countries including Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia have issues warnings to their residents about visiting the UK.

Feature image: Nine news, Facebook

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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