Foreign Bots Amplify Misinformation During Southport Riots

UK counter-terrorism chief highlights the role of foreign bots in spreading false information, contributing to unrest.

Policing the summer riots in Southport has cost £31.7 million, with expenses expected to rise as investigations continue.
Foreign bots, particularly from Russia, significantly increased the spread of misinformation following the Southport stabbing incident.
1,590 individuals have been arrested in connection with the riots, with 17% of them being minors under 18 years old.
UK counter-terrorism police urge responsible commentary and call for social media platforms to address the spread of misinformation.
The unrest was fueled by domestic and online narratives, with significant spikes in hateful content observed around midnight due to bot activity.