Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called accusations of two-tier policing “complete nonsense” – and said they are putting officers at risk.

Sir Mark condemned the claims saying: “It’s complete nonsense.

“We operate independently under the law without fear or favour.

“They are putting them at risk by suggesting that any of those officers are going out with, as with any intent, other than to operate without fear or favour in protecting communities.”

Two-tier policing is used to describe the impression that some protests and demonstrations are dealt with more harshly than others.

Read more: What is two-tier policing and why does it exist?

The prime minister and the government have faced criticism from some on the right, including Nigel Farage, as well as X owner and billionaire Elon Musk, that police have handled the past week’s disorder more harshly than if it had involved members of ethnic minorities.

Convictions of many rioters to be finished this week – as police brace for 30 more far-right protests

UK riots: People who are racist to NHS staff ‘can and should’ be refused care, health secretary says

Birmingham: Pub punter who ‘incited violence’ will be barred after counter-protester attack

Sir Mark said commentators from both ends of the political spectrum ” like to throw accusations of bias at the police because we stand in the middle”.

“If you’ve got crazy views over there, you don’t like it. And if you’ve got crazy views from over there, you don’t like it,” he said.

“The serious voices who echo those are of more concern to me because the risk is they legitimise it, and they legitimise the violence that the officers I’m sending on mutual aid today will face on the streets.”

Sir Mark refused to name any individuals as he said he did not want to “give them credit”.

He added: “If you’re a keyboard warrior, you’re not safe from the law if you incite violence.”

More than 6,000 extra police are being deployed across the country ahead at least 30 protests planned for this evening outside immigration help centres.

About 100 people have already been charged in connection with the riots. More are due to appear in court today.

Sir Mark said “protecting communities is at the core of policing” and they have changed tactics in the last couple of days to relocate police officers at “key strategic locations” across the UK “to give us more agility to respond to wherever the protests are most intense”.

“So that we can respond with agility and show overwhelming force so that the criminals and thugs on the streets don’t succeed,” he added.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

Wales vs Switzerland: Live updates as Euro 2020 campaign begins for home nations England reports record number of daily COVID cases More than 500 children admitted to hospital with COVID in England in week to Boxing Day Boris Johnson admits ‘tough night’ for Tories as Labour win key London councils – but fail to make big gains outside capital Record numbers having bowel cancer checks following death of Dame Deborah James King Charles flies to Scotland day after Queen’s funeral Irregular heartbeat likely to be one of the reasons more people than usual have been dying this year Holly and Phillip address anger over claims they skipped queue to see Queen’s coffin Family of murdered pregnant teacher ‘devastated’ over her death Coronation allegiance pledge to King ‘an invitation, not a command’, archbishop says Seaside resort fights to have 50,000 tonnes of rock removed from beach Gatwick temporarily limits flight numbers due to staff sickness in air traffic control