Violent clashes have erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement outside a mosque in Southport following a stabbing attack that claimed the lives of three children earlier in the week.
Violent clashes have erupted between demonstrators and law enforcement outside a mosque in Southport following a stabbing attack that claimed the lives of three children earlier in the week. Videos shared on social media capture the chaos, with scenes of a police vehicle engulfed in smoke and crowds hurling bottles and bricks at officers behind riot shields. A journalist from PA Media recorded footage of burning vehicles and riot police attempting to control the situation with shields.
Still trouble outside the mosque but riot police have cleared part of the area. pic.twitter.com/ryDXpTvbUG
— Patrick Hurst (@paddyhurst)pic.twitter.com/gZUlCbjr8S
More scenes from Southport - our country is not in a good place.
Whatever your take on the goings on in Southport, this is inarguably very funny. Concussion, no bollocks and nicked tomorrow for rioting. Silly old twat.🤣 pic.twitter.com/q9WPnAnqn0
— Tom Latchem (@TomLatchem)Authorities have identified the protesters as likely affiliates of the English Defence League (EDL), a far-right group known for its extremist views. The unrest follows a tragic incident on Monday, where three children were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop in Southport.
Police have established a strong presence outside the mosque, with certain factions of the crowd chanting slogans such as "No surrender!" and "English till I die!"
Hero woman in Southport holds up this sign.
Hope not Hate, racism is not welcome here.
RT if you are that woman.pic.twitter.com/dj5WXUcUbE
Oh look—take a hard look.
Thousands of people turned out in Southport for a vigil after yesterday’s slaughter of three innocent children.
But do you notice anything?
Where is the Islamic migrant community, who swarm the streets every week to demand respect, halal foods,… pic.twitter.com/4EYnrjmQBq
The Telegraph reported that riot police, accompanied by dogs, were seen charging at the protesters, pushing them back towards a nearby railway bridge.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss addressed the media, highlighting the role of a 17-year-old male in police custody and condemning those who exploit his situation to incite further violence.
"There has been much speculation and hypothesis around his status, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets," Goss said.
The British are angry , betrayed by their government, our children’s safety has been taken from us. The media lie to us & people are sick to fucking death of 2 tier policing . Basically if you riot they listen to you, that’s the message the sent out . This is Southport right now… pic.twitter.com/5OSvNv6CSq
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra)The people of Southport gathered to hold a peaceful vigil for the 3 little girls who were brutally murdered and all those injured.
As they did, another unidentified male carrying a knife and a balaclava was arrested nearby.
This fact seems to have disappeared from the "media",… pic.twitter.com/rRbCQ4Hh5C
In response to the escalating situation, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper spoke in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, urging against the use of the tragic deaths of the three schoolgirls to "stir up division" and spread false information.
"False information has already been extensively shared in the last 24 hours. Those who do this for their own purposes risk undermining a crucial criminal investigation and I ask everyone to show some respect for the community in Southport and for families who are grieving and in trauma