Protests have erupted across various parts of the United Kingdom in response to the Southport knife attack, leading to dozens of arrests.
According to BBC, in central London, more than 100 individuals were detained on Wednesday evening following clashes between officers and demonstrators near Downing Street.
Hartlepool also saw unrest, with eight arrests made, several officers injured, and a police car set ablaze.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer plans to meet senior police leaders on Thursday to express his “full backing” amid the ongoing disturbances.
In London, protesters were seen launching flares towards the gates of Downing Street and at a statue of Winston Churchill.
Chants of “stop the boats” and “save our kids” accompanied the throwing of bottles and cans at officers.
The Met reported that protest conditions had been breached and made arrests for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.
The Met also noted that some officers sustained minor injuries during the clashes.
Cleveland Police reported that violence erupted in Hartlepool, resulting in several injured officers and eight arrests related to public order offences.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland stated, “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.”
Cleveland Police anticipates further arrests in the coming days.
Disorder was also reported in Manchester and Aldershot. In Manchester, Greater Manchester Police dispersed protesters in Newton Heath after objects were thrown at both police and the public.
In Aldershot, MP Alex Baker noted that a peaceful protest turned into “intimidating behaviour” at a local hotel, exacerbated by outsiders aiming to cause unrest. Baker emphasized, “We all support our shared right to peacefully protest, but we will not stand for people coming to our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.”
The previous night, unrest near a mosque in Southport saw the building attacked, with Merseyside Police officers being pelted with bricks and a police van set on fire.
The Prime Minister is set to meet with senior policing leaders to offer the government’s support following these incidents.
Number 10 stated, “[The prime minister] will say that the shocking events in Southport this week serve as a reminder of the bravery of our emergency service workers and the vitally important work they do to keep the public safe. While the right to peaceful protest must be protected at all costs, he will be clear that criminals who exploit that right in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law.”
The protests follow the tragic stabbing of three children, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport on Monday.
Eight other children and two adults were injured, with several in critical condition. A 17-year-old boy has been charged by Merseyside Police with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder and will appear in Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
