Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has issued a statement to clarify her position on the upsurge of violent protests.
Speaking on the issue on Sunday 4 August, the Commissioner said:
“I want to be clear that the violence that has erupted across the UK this week has been criminal, unlawful and senseless.
“I stand by my statement issued yesterday where I called for calm, and for the country to work together stop this mindless, criminal behaviour.
“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it.
“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected lawful protest on a much broader issue.
“As a country this issue is something we should seek to understand without letting it divide us.
“I am confident there will be a time and place for that discussion in due course.”
This follows the statement put out by the Commissioner on Saturday 3 August, which was made in her capacity as Police Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and not as the Chair of the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners.