While anti-migrant misinformation played a “potential role”, it "did not appear to drive children’s actions”, says Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza, who interviewed young rioters as part of the research, published in the report ‘Children’s involvement in the 2024 riots’.
Social media posts suggesting the murderer was an immigrant was shared millions of times online before being taken down, triggering riots and leading to the arrests of at least 147 children.
Of these, 84 were charged, with 73 cases having concluded by 31 October 2024, with de Souza’s interviews taking place between November and December. Further arrests are anticipated as police continue to review evidence.
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