- 53 officers injured in rioting after fatal attack
After a fatal stabbing attack on several children and anti-Muslim riots by far-right extremists, the British coastal town of Southport is in shock. Neighbors came together to clear the debris.
The police estimate that there were around 200 to 300 rioters who first targeted a mosque and then threw bricks, trash cans, and street signs at police officers. So far, four people have been arrested. "But more will follow," said Chief Constable Serena Kennedy of the Merseyside Police.
A burned-out police car was seen near the attacked mosque. 53 officers were injured in the riots, 8 severely - suffering broken bones, concussions, or lacerations. One officer was knocked unconscious.
Southport cleans up
Local businessman Norman Wallis told the PA news agency that the rioters did not come from the area but had traveled by bus and car to cause trouble. "The people of Southport are cleaning up this mess today," said Wallis.
The riots, which broke out after a peaceful vigil for the victims, were fueled by rumors and false reports about the identity of the suspected attacker. The 17-year-old is accused of stabbing three girls aged six, seven, and nine, and injuring eight other children and two adults. The motive is still unclear. Investigators have been granted more time to question the suspect.
Online reports suggested that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker with an Arabic-sounding name who had already been observed by British intelligence. Critics accused right-wing politician Nigel Farage, who played a key role in the Brexit campaign, of whipping up sentiment. The leader of the Reform UK party had speculated in a video posted on X that the authorities were hiding the "truth" from the public.
Police dismiss online speculation
The police dismissed the claims, which were also spread by a Russian state media outlet. They emphasized that the 17-year-old was born in the UK. The BBC reported that the teenager is the son of Rwandan parents and has lived in the Southport region for over 10 years. The police believe it was a lone attacker and not a terrorist act.
The attackers threw bricks at both police officers and the local mosque after a vigil for the victims, according to the police. They also looted a business and set cars and trash cans on fire, the authorities said. Most of the rioters were members of a far-right group, according to the police.
Local MP Patrick Hurley told BBC Radio 4 that the rioters had exploited the bloodshed for their own political purposes and attacked "the same first responders and the same police officers" who had stopped the attacker on Monday. The chairman of the mosque, Ibrahim Hussein, told reporters that he had been trapped in the building with eight community members and only escaped with a police escort.
The British government strongly condemned the riots. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that rioters would face the full force of the law.
"Those who hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and brutality have offended the mourning community," emphasized the head of government at X. Starmer laid flowers at the scene of the crime. While doing so, the Prime Minister, who has been in office for only a few weeks, was harassed by onlookers demanding a tougher stance against migrants.
Police officers suffered broken bones and cuts
According to police, the officers injured during the riots suffered broken bones, cuts, a suspected broken nose, and a concussion. Three police dogs were also injured.
X-Post Keir Starmer Statement Home Secretary Cooper Statement Merseyside Police
The town's shock deepened as the number of injured police officers increased, with several requiring emergency medical attention due to broken bones and concussions. Immediately following the riots, the community rallied together, organizing an emergency cleanup to restore Southport.
