The Indian High Commission in London has advised Indian travellers to be careful and stay alert while travelling in the United Kingdom. This advice comes after the UK's worst riots in more than ten years, where violent protesters have reportedly targeted migrants, especially Muslims.

The High Commission recommended that Indian travellers keep up with local news and avoid areas where protests are happening. "The Indian High Commission (embassy) in London is closely watching the situation. Visitors from India are advised to stay vigilant and exercise due caution while travelling in the UK," the advisory stated.

The unrest started last Tuesday after claims that a suspect in Southport was a radical Islamist. However, the police clarified that the 17-year-old suspect, who was born in Britain to parents who emigrated from Rwanda, is not being treated as a terrorist threat.

The situation worsened after three young girls were stabbed in Southport last week. This incident has been used by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups to spread false information online, causing unrest in various towns and cities.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised legal action against those targeting Muslim communities. "Whatever the apparent motivation, this is not protest, it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities," Starmer said on Monday. "The full force of law will be visited on all those who are identified as having taken part."

UK Interior Minister Yvette Cooper also condemned the violence, saying it fuelled racial hatred and was an overreaction to immigration concerns. She criticised the attacks on police and described the riots as unjustified.

The protests have involved a few hundred people, leading to looting, attacks on mosques, and violence against ethnic minorities. Cars have been set on fire, and some social media videos show violent incidents.

Image source: Reuters