A teenage boy and a man from Kent have been charged in relation to disorder following the Southport riots.

The pair from Tunbridge Wells will appear in court following incidents in Whitehall in London on July 31.

Investigators have pursued dozens of cases relating to disorder and anti-social behaviour on this date, and 21 people have been charged.

It comes after riots broke out following a knife attack in Southport which killed three children.

A 14-year-old boy from Tunbridge Wells was charged with behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, is due to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 23.

Meanwhile, Ryan Atkin of Jarvis Brook, Tunbridge Wells, was charged with the same offence, as well as obstructing a constable.

Atkin, 41, is due to appear at court on a date which has not yet been set.

Met Police said thousands of officers would be on shift this weekend to continue to support and reassure communities in attempts to prevent and discourage violence on the streets.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who is leading the police operation, said: “It has been hugely heartening to see communities come together this week and it is our privilege to support them.

“Nevertheless, we won’t tolerate hate or intimidation and that is why more than 30 people have been charged with a range of offences.

“Our message is clear - anyone thinking of causing disorder and disruption will be found and will be brought to justice.

Jaswant Narwal and Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutors, said: “Prosecutors across London are working in real-time with the police to provide legal advice, authorise charges, and get perpetrators into court quickly to deliver justice.”

A man arrested at a demonstration in Chatham on Wednesday was jailed on Friday for yelling homophobic abuse at police - the first person to be jailed from Kent during the unrest.

Daniel Baldock was asked by officers to disperse during a demonstration outside the Innovation Centre, in Chatham but refused.

He was sentenced by magistrates to 14 weeks imprisonment.