UK, Bristol: India warns citizens in the UK amid riots sparked by false info about a murder. UK probes foreign influence on anti-Muslim protests. Stay cautious and follow local advice.

Amid recent riots in the UK, India has issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to exercise caution and heed local security advice. The Indian High Commission in London is closely monitoring the situation and has advised visitors to remain vigilant while traveling in the UK.

The unrest began after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, which triggered anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim violence across English towns. The situation was exacerbated by false information circulating online that implicated an Islamist migrant in the crime. 

August 6, 2024

The UK government is investigating the role of foreign states in spreading disinformation and inciting riots. There are concerns about online bot activity and potential state involvement in amplifying false narratives. This is not the first instance of the UK examining foreign interference, with past investigations focusing on Russian media's impact on domestic issues. The government is considering increasing intelligence capabilities to combat misinformation and curb the influence of hostile states.