- England's riots after bloodshed
Fresh protests over the bloodshed** in Southport have seen police in the UK targeted again. In the northeast English city of Sunderland, a mob set fire to a building next to a police station, as reported by the BBC. Other reports suggested that the station itself was set alight. Officers were attacked with fire extinguishers, stones, and beer bottles near a mosque. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that criminal attackers would face the consequences of their violence.
A car was set alight, and a taxi was attacked. The protest was organized by a known far-right figure. The Northumbria Police described the violence against officers as severe.
The regional mayor, Kim McGuinness of the ruling Labour party, wrote on X: "This is not protest. This is crime and chaos. You do not speak for Sunderland."
Ultranationalists claim that authorities are hiding the true identity of the attacker who stabbed three girls to death and injured several children and two adults on Monday. Social media rumors suggested the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker. Police stress that the 17-year-old suspect was born in Britain. His parents are from Rwanda.
Mosques strengthen security
Right-wing protests were also expected in other cities over the weekend, with some counter-protests planned. Many mosques have strengthened their security measures.
In the past few days, there have been riots in several cities, including London's government district. Over 110 people were arrested in the British capital alone. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised tough action against rioters. He visited Southport again today and spoke with doctors at the children's hospital. The government headquarters in Downing Street was lit up in pink in memory of the victims and all those affected.
BBC Report
The mob's actions extended beyond the police station in Sunderland, as they also set fire to a building nearby. Despite the violence, the regional mayor of Sunderland, Kim McGuinness, firmly stated that such actions do not represent the city.
