Police investigate financing ties between organised crime and far right

Police and security services are investigating a possible link between far-right groups in the UK and organised criminal gangs suspected of funding extremist activities across the country.

Some of the criminal organisations at the centre of the investigation are reportedly led by former leaders of football hooligan gangs who are now believed to be running illegal drug trafficking operations in London and the rest of the UK.

Sources say the far-right groups under investigation helped spread misinformation about the tragic murder of three young girls in Southport in late July, which sparked violent riots across the country last week.

The investigation focuses on possible links between organised criminal gangs and the financing of meetings and disinformation campaigns by far-right groups.

A law enforcement source said: “There has long been an overlap between football hooliganism and some of the groups and individuals we see behind the current situation.

“We are talking about individuals who may have been involved in frontline vandalism a number of years ago and who have since turned to other forms of criminal activity under the banner of organised crime.

“In some cases there are indications that they are prepared to provide support and encouragement, including financial support, to the far right.”

Another law enforcement source said: “This has been a long and detailed investigation. The investigation is still in the evidence gathering stage but we believe it is worth continuing.”

The investigation’s revelations follow recent racist riots in English cities.

A National Crime Agency spokeswoman said: “The NCA supports partners and the wider law enforcement response to violent disorder, including through the collection and development of specialist intelligence.”

Since the start of the riots, several far-right groups have been actively promoting their views.

The far-right in the UK is no longer centred around political parties such as the British National Party and the National Front. Since the rise of social media, dozens of extremist affiliate groups and individuals have gained large online followings, and the far-right has split into several organisations.

The investigation into far-right groups will reportedly involve deploying intelligence officers from regional police forces to assist with the UK investigation.

Although Home Secretary Yvette Cooper did not comment directly on the investigation, she previously said: “In terms of the organisation of these gatherings, the mobilisation of participants and then the coordination of violence on the ground, the tactics we are seeing are straight out of the hooligan playbook, and many of the groups involved are exactly the same.”

A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Service said i that they would not confirm the identities of those under investigation until someone was charged.

Nearly two weeks of rioting began after the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, on July 29.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana has been charged with the murder of three girls who were stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Muganwa Rudakubana, who has turned 18 since he was charged, also faces 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack.

Since riot police have arrested more than 1,100 people involved in violence, arson and looting, as well as racist attacks on Muslims and migrants. So far, 648 people have been charged.

Many of them were quickly jailed, some receiving long sentences, including some for promoting racial hatred online.

In addition to arrests of those promoting and implementing far-right propaganda, a Labour councillor was also arrested last week after making a speech calling for the throats of “fascists” to be slit.

Dartford councillor Ricky Jones has also been suspended by the party over a video of him amid cheering crowds at a protest in Walthamstow, east London. The protest was organised to stop the far-right targeting asylum seekers and the law firms that represent them.