Violent Protests Rock UK in Wake of Southport Stabbing Attack

Far-right activists and anti-racism groups clashed in cities across the United Kingdom on Saturday following a stabbing attack at a dance class in northwest England earlier in the week, which resulted in three girls being killed and several others injured.

False claims that the teenage suspect in the attack is a radical Muslim migrant have intensified tensions, leading to confrontations between anti-immigration groups and police. Despite a court order lifting the suspect’s anonymity to address misinformation, unrest persists across the nation.

In Stoke-on-Trent, bricks were thrown at officers, and in Hull, windows of a hotel housing migrants were smashed. In Liverpool, a police officer was kicked off his motorbike. Scuffles were also reported in Belfast, Manchester, and Nottingham.

A demonstrator falls during a clash between police officers and demonstrators at a protest against illegal immigration, in Liverpool, Britain, August 3, 2024.  

The unrest follows a day of violent protests in Sunderland, where protesters hurled beer barrels and rocks at police, setting fire to a car and a nearby building and resulted in ten arrests.

17-year-old, identified as Axel Rudakubana, was arrested, following the attack on children at a Taylor Swift-themed summer dance class in Southport. Rudakubana faces charges of murder for the deaths of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, as well as 10 counts of attempted murder.

Liverpool police on Saturday, reported that several officers were injured while managing “serious disorder” in the city centre. In Hull, authorities stated that four people were arrested and three officers sustained injuries as they handled protests involving bottle-throwing. Mosques nationwide have been advised to enhance their security, and police have increased their presence with additional officers.

Demonstrators attend a protest against illegal immigration, in Leeds, Britain, August 3, 2024.  

Riots involving hundreds of anti-immigration protesters have erupted in several towns and cities since the stabbing attack, including clashes with police outside a mosque in Southport and throwing projectiles near the Prime Minister’s office in London.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall condemned the violent protests in Sunderland as “unforgivable,” noting that four officers were injured, including a mounted officer who sustained serious injuries. Hall warned that those involved in the violence would face “the full force of the law.”

Many protests have been organised online by far-right groups using phrases like “enough is enough,” “save our kids,” and “stop the boats.” Counter-protests are expected from groups such as Stand Up To Racism, which opposes Islamophobia and far-right extremism.

Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest in Manchester, Britain, August 3, 2024.  

Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the attacks on police and pledged that offenders would face severe consequences. She affirmed that the police have the government’s full support to take decisive action.

With numerous protests scheduled nationwide, police have implemented a significant security operation, deploying thousands of additional officers in riot gear. Authorities have also expanded prison capacity and are using surveillance and facial recognition technologies.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer attributed the violence to “far-right hatred” and pledged to enhance police resources to prevent further breakdowns in law and order. Starmer announced a new program for better intelligence sharing and rapid arrests, emphasising that the violence was a deliberate and coordinated effort by individuals intent on causing harm.