- British Prime Minister criticizes right-wing violence
Riots following the bloodshed in Southport are fueling fears in the UK of further violent protests from far-right extremists. New Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured the police of his government's support during a meeting with top officials at Downing Street. "These are not protests, these are violent unrest, and we will act against them," Starmer said.
Police stations are set to improve cooperation to prevent riots. The use of facial recognition technology may also be expanded. Starmer also held social media platforms accountable. The riots were accompanied by misinformation on social media about the identity of the perpetrator.
The suspect is alleged to have stabbed three girls aged six, seven, and nine to death on Monday, and injured eight other children and two adults, some seriously. Two children have since been discharged from the hospital. The 17-year-old was brought to court in Liverpool under high security. The Crown Court ordered him to be held in a youth detention center.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 25, when it will also be determined if the teenager pleads guilty. If he does, there will be no trial, and the court could directly set the sentence. Under British law, murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with the court deciding the minimum term.
Suspect's anonymity lifted
According to police, the suspect, charged with triple murder and ten counts of attempted murder, was born in the UK. Right-wing groups claim, without evidence, that authorities are hiding the true identity of the attacker. The teenager's parents are from Rwanda. Despite being a few days shy of his 18th birthday, the judge decided to lift the suspect's anonymity. Naming suspects is common practice in the UK.
Over 100 arrests in London
On Wednesday evening, near the government seat in Downing Street, ultra-nationalists clashed with police in London. Protesters threw fireworks at the iron fence blocking the street. Police arrested 111 people. Protesters chanted "Rule Britannia" and "We want our country back."
Mayor Sadiq Khan condemned the riots. "There's no place for crime on our streets, and I fully support the Metropolitan Police's action against those seeking violence, causing unrest, and spreading division in our city," Khan wrote on X.
In the northeast English town of Hartlepool, rioters attacked officers, and a police car was set ablaze. Eight people were arrested, and several officers were injured. In Manchester, police dispersed several dozen people near a hotel used as asylum seeker accommodation. Riots had already occurred in Southport near a mosque on Tuesday evening.
The lifting of the suspect's anonymity has fueled concerns of potential bloodshed from extremist groups, citing the case as evidence of a cover-up. The increased use of facial recognition technology and strengthened police cooperation are seen as measures to prevent further violent protests.
