Violence after deadly attack on dancing children in England - 39 police injured
Starmer declared on online service X: "Those who exploited the vigil for the victims of violence and brutality have offended the community in their mourning. They will feel the full force of the law." The clashes occurred following a vigil in the center of Southport, where hundreds of people had gathered to remember the victims of the knife attack on Monday with a minute of silence. Three girls aged six, seven, and nine were killed, according to police. A 17-year-old suspect was arrested shortly after the incident.
Around 100 rioters then clashed with the police and set fires. Thick smoke was visible, according to an AFP reporter. Some rioters set vehicles ablaze, "threw bricks at a mosque, and damaged a grocery store," police said.
Emergency services reported treating "a total of 39 patients, all police officers," with 27 injured officers hospitalized.
The police announced stricter controls and a "visible presence" of officers to calm the public.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the "shameful scenes" in a statement, describing it as "shocking" that the police, who were conducting an urgent criminal investigation following the knife attack, had become a "target of violence."
Following the afternoon attack on Monday at a children's dance class to music by US pop star Taylor Swift, two girls aged six and seven initially died. A nine-year-old later died from her injuries. Eight other children were injured, with five still in critical condition on Tuesday. Two adults who came to the children's aid were also severely injured, police said.
A 17-year-old was arrested, originating from Cardiff, Wales, and residing in the town of Banks near Southport. According to BBC reports, the suspect's family is from Rwanda. Witnesses told British media that the 17-year-old arrived at the scene in a taxi, wearing a mask, before entering the building. The motive for the teenager's knife attack remains unclear.
Online discussions focused on the 17-year-old's nationality, religion, and the time of his arrival in the UK. Controversial British influencer Andrew Tate, who faces rape allegations, claimed on X that the attacker was an "illegal migrant."
Police blamed online speculation for the outbreak of violence. "There were many speculations... about the status of a 17-year-old man, and some people are using this to bring violence and disorder onto our streets," said Deputy Chief Constable Alex Goss. Many of those involved in the clashes did not live in the Merseyside region, he added.
Home Secretary Cooper stressed the importance of people not spreading harmful misinformation online. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said that those spreading hate would not prevail in Southport. "We're known for our solidarity. The people in our region will stand together," Rotheram told AFP.
The number of knife-related violent crimes in the UK has been increasing. In 2023, there were nearly 50,000 such incidents, a seven percent increase from 2022. The number of these crimes has doubled in the past decade.
The rioters who clashed with the police and caused havoc in Southport were later detained by the Police officers. Due to the chaos, a significant number of Police officers were injured during the clashes.
