Widespread unrest and protests erupted in several regions of the United Kingdom after the tragic death of three young girls in Southport. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday called a meeting of the police chiefs and took stock of the situation.
Over 100 people were arrested on Wednesday for offences including violent disorder, assaulting police officers and breach of protest conditions. It is believed that the protests erupted after social media misinformation claiming the male suspect behind the stabbing was a Muslim asylum seeker who arrived illegally in the country on a boat.
The 17-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the incident was charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife.
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Violent protests took place outside Downing Street in London. Protests also erupted in Southport, Hartlepool, north-east England, Aldershot and south-east England.
“We could hear the protesters chanting ‘stop the boats’, and ‘save our kids’. The protests were clearly driven by circulating misinformation,” said a police officer.
Met Police Superintendent Neil Holyoak said they were speaking to the protest organisers as well as local community groups, businesses and religious leaders, in particular the Muslim community who have been impacted by the protest.
Police equipped with riot gear were deployed on the streets. Flares were thrown towards the gates of Downing Streets. Protesters also threw cans and glass bottles at the police, they also kicked down a fence. Police had to use force to disperse the crowd.
Arrests were made from Hartlepool and Aldershot.
Regarding the arrest of the suspect, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said, "Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).”
Three children six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after the suspect went on a stabbing spree at The Hart Space community centre.
The kids had come to participate in the "Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop" aimed at primary school children. Eight other children were injured in the stabbing incident. The condition of five children remains critical. Two adults, including one of the organisers of the event, also suffered critical injuries.
