The most important lesson is for those involving themselves in disorder because what we've seen is that those that are being arrested now numbered in their hundreds, many have been charged, some already in court and now a number of individuals sentenced to uh terms of imprisonment.
That is a very important message to those involved in disorder and I say it again anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive will feel the full force of the law. It's important I repeat that, because we need to make sure that in the coming days we can give the necessary reassurance to our communities.
Many of whom have been talking to some this morning are very anxious about the situation. I think the fact we didn't see the disorder that was feared is because we had police deployed in numbers in the right places, giving reassurance to communities.
We were able to demonstrate Criminal Justice System working speedily, so yesterday you saw the sentencing of individuals who' been involved in disorder days ago, some of them getting sentences as long as three years. That sent a very powerful message. But I also think that the work that's being done jointly to reassure our communities is becoming more effective.
Now it's important that we don't let up here and that's why later on today I'll have another COBRA meeting with law enforcement, with senior police officers to make sure that we reflect on last night, but also plan for the coming days.