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Jersey police are keeping watch for any evidence of unrest in the island – including monitoring local social media pages – as riots spread across the UK.
The island's head of police was today briefed alongside police chiefs from across the UK, where over 400 people have been arrested after a week of violent disorder.
Initial protests were sparked by the the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, but the subsequent unrest has been exacerbated by misinformation online, the far right, and anti-immigration sentiment.
In a statement issued following queries from Express, States of Jersey Police confirmed they were keeping a close watch for any developments locally and reassured islanders that there is so far "no intelligence to suggest similar issues will develop in Jersey".
"As disorder spreads in some of the major UK cities, States of Jersey Police continue to carefully monitor the situation," the Force said.
"The Chief Officer was today fully briefed in a meeting with UK police chief colleagues.
"As a matter of routine, States of Jersey Police are preparing a Community Impact Assessment, monitoring social media, and reassuring key members in our community."
Officers also confirmed that they have not been asked to provide mutual aid to forces in the UK.
The statement continued: "There is no intelligence to suggest similar issues will develop in Jersey, however, States of Jersey Police will constantly review the situation and respond accordingly in the unlikely event it becomes necessary."
An Express and JEP reporter currently living in Liverpool, Hannah Esnouf, has spoken about the atmosphere on the scene, saying she had begun to feel "scared" with "nowhere else to go", as well as "utter panic" as riots descended on the streets near her home.
Speaking to Express this morning, she said: "Knowing protests, which usually turn into violent riots, continue to be scheduled each week, feels like a sense of calm is becoming more and more of a distant feeling.
"The events in Southport last week were horrific but what has followed is even more concerning. I hope some serious and long lasting action is taken soon for the sake of the whole country".
Announcements that more riots will be taking place in UK cities has been circulating on social media, and one Islander even wrote on Facebook that there are demonstrations planned for Southampton tonight. He advised locals to avoid travelling there if it was not necessary.
In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his cabinet the government would take "all necessary action" to bring the disorder to an end. He was set to chair another emergency Cobra meeting yesterday to discuss the ongoing unrest.
Meanwhile, England and Wales' director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said he is willing to consider charging some of those joining the riots with terrorism offences.
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