Responding to the violent protests erupting across the UK following the stabbing of three girls in Southport, Sir Keir Starmer assured the police of the government’s unwavering support to take all essential measures to ensure the safety of our streets from individuals inciting hatred.
Recent public disorder and unrest in various towns and cities prompted a meeting between the Prime Minister and senior ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Justice Secretary, and Policing Minister, to address the situation, as confirmed by a Downing Street spokesperson.
In Sunderland, where four officers were hurt in Friday night’s violence, Sir Keir expressed gratitude toward the police and reaffirmed their authorization to combat extremist activities targeting law enforcement and local businesses, as well as spreading animosity within communities.
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Those behind ‘violent thuggery’ will ‘pay the price’
Highlighting the distinction between freedom of expression and violent disorder, Sir Keir emphasized that any form of violence is unacceptable and reiterated the government’s support for the police in safeguarding our streets.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that individuals involved in violent disorder will face consequences and reinforced the government’s commitment to a robust response against offenders, ensuring adequate prosecution, prison capacity, and prepared judicial systems.
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Blackpool: ‘Nazi scum’ chants
She vowed to collaborate with authorities to ensure there are “repercussions, apprehensions, and legal actions” for those accountable.
When questioned if she contemplated reconvening parliament, as Dame Priti Patel advocated, she mentioned she had been “in discussion with Members of Parliament throughout the nation” and intended to continue doing so.
Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell reported that Downing Street desires all individuals engaging in unrest to comprehend that they will encounter “swift intervention” and “the complete application of the legal system.”
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Far-right protesters push police in Nottingham
Liverpool – officers receive treatment for suspected broken jaw and broken nose
Two police officers were hospitalized in Liverpool with a suspected broken jaw and nose as the city’s officers encountered “disgraceful levels of aggression”, shared Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims.
Several individuals discharged fire extinguishers and hurled objects, such as bricks and bottles, at the officers, as mentioned by Merseyside Police.
“One officer on a police motorcycle was forced off his bike and physically assaulted,” Sims stated.
Residents reportedly had to flee the vicinity to escape the turmoil, Sims added.
Six individuals, ranging in age from 29 to 58, have been apprehended on suspicion of crimes including violent conduct and property destruction.
Police officers encounter protesters in Nottingham Market Square. Pic: PA
Officers were pelted with bricks, bottles, and a flare along The Strand in the city center.
Another officer was assaulted and knocked off his bike by a protestor, while others attempted to strike riot shields.
A policewoman was struck by a chair and required assistance from fellow officers, mentioned Sky’s correspondent Charlotte Leeming.
Bristol – melee at close range
Law enforcement apprehended numerous individuals in Bristol following “violent disorder.”
About 100 demonstrators found themselves vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters chanting anti-fascist expressions in Bristol, as stated by Sky correspondent Tom Cheshire, amidst a struggle to maintain distance with a “substantial presence” of police.
The opposing groups relocated from Castle Park, their gathering spot, “spilling onto Bristol’s streets” by approximately 7:30 pm.
Cheshire reported, “We witnessed multiple police horse charges, battles fought at close proximity between right-wing demonstrators and counter-protestors.”
At times, the two factions were only as close as 10 feet apart, engaging in the hurling of projectiles and police detaining individuals, he added.
Nottingham
Clashes broke out in Nottingham as three individuals were detained in the city’s Market Square where opposing factions confronted each other.
There was a flurry of items thrown from both groups, with chants of “England till I die” and “Tommy Robinson” being overshadowed by disapproval from counter-protestors.
Nottinghamshire Police pledged a “vigorous response.”
Leeds
In Leeds, approximately 150 individuals bearing St. George flags vociferated “You’re not English anymore” and “Paedo Muslims off our street”, outnumbered by a considerable counter-protest contingent chanting “Nazi scum off our streets.”
A man wields a piece of wood during a demonstration in Blackpool. Pic: PA
A large portion of this assembly were displaying Palestinian flags and vocalizing “there are ample, significantly more of us than you”.
The two factions were maintained at a distance of approximately 20 meters by barriers with roughly 20 law enforcement officers in between.
Blackpool
At Blackpool, punk rock enthusiasts, who had journeyed there for the annual Rebellion festival, faced off against men sporting soccer jerseys, divided solely by police presence.
During the commotion, bottles and chairs were hurled amidst chants from the crowds such as “England till I die”, “we want our nation back”, in addition to slogans supporting “oh, Tommy Robinson” and “protect our children”.
Counter-demonstrators vociferated “Nazi scum off our streets” while confrontations ensued and objects were thrown.
Authorities in Lancashire subsequently reported that over 20 arrests were made.
Hull
In Hull, four individuals have been apprehended as three officers sustained injuries during a demonstration where a cluster of individuals targeted a hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore of Humberside Police mentioned that officers encountered aggression in the form of projectiles and malice while windows at the refugee facility were shattered.
Law enforcement subdue an individual during a protest in Liverpool. Pic: PA
Stoke-on-Trent
Ten individuals – all males aged between 15 and 52 – have been detained by Staffordshire Police on charges including assault, disorderly conduct, and intimidation based on race or religion after bricks were launched at officers in Stoke-on-Trent.
Authorities mentioned that two men involved in online allegations of a stabbing were actually wounded when a blunt object was tossed in the air.
They are currently receiving medical treatment, with injuries deemed non-life-threatening, while three police officers sustained minor injuries.
Sunderland
Northumbria Police disclosed that additional arrests were made following “violent disorder in Sunderland, where acts of vandalism took place.
Manchester
In Manchester, the advocacy group Stand up to Racism declared that hundreds congregated in the metropolis to oppose far-right activists, amidst reports of a Sainsbury’s outlet being looted.
Belfast
Fireworks were thrown during tense confrontations between an anti-Islamic organization and an anti-racism demonstration in Belfast.
The incidents on Saturday ensued subsequent to turbulent protests earlier in the week, where more than 100 individuals were apprehended outside Downing Street on Wednesday and 10 arrests in Sunderland on Friday night following an incident where a structure adjacent to a police station was set ablaze and objects were hurled at law enforcement officers.
The series of disturbances stemmed from a stabbing event at a venue hosting a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at a community center in Southport earlier in the week, resulting in the tragic demise of three young girls.
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Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged six, seven, and nine respectively, tragically lost their lives in the incident, with additional children and adults sustaining injuries.
The incident prompted a surge of false information online concerning the background of the suspect, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, hailing from Lancashire.
Misleading assertions circulated, alleging that the 17-year-old, born in Cardiff, was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK via sea.
