A wave of demonstrations is expected across the UK following the shocking stabbing incident in Southport.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a bold “national” strategy to tackle the ongoing violent riots, including better coordination of police efforts to form a united front against the shocking riots, which have left dozens of police officers injured and more than 100 people arrested.
An investigation has uncovered plans for more than 15 demonstrations across the country. Calls to action have emerged on social media platforms, some of which were decorated with English flags and “boats” bearing passionate slogans such as “Enough is enough”, “Save our children” and “Stop it”.
According to PA, these protests are expected to hit Southport itself, Leeds and Bristol. Following the arrests of hundreds of violent protesters on Wednesday, an investigation has revealed that a further 15 events are planned for the coming days, as well as two counter-demonstrations against brick-throwing far-right agitators.
17-year-old Axel Rudacbana has been dragged into Liverpool court to face dark charges following the Taylor Swift-inspired dance class massacre. Axel Rudacbana, from Banks, Lancashire, is accused of the brutal murders of three girls – Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, just 7.
The charges include the attempted murders of yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight other children, whose names cannot be published due to a court order. He has also been charged with possessing a curved kitchen knife.
He has been remanded in youth detention and his next court date is scheduled for October. The local community is now obliged to pick up the pieces after the disturbance, which broke out at a dance studio on Hart Street in Southport just before midday on Monday, sparked violent riots across the city on Tuesday and have since spread to other towns.
Thousands of people gathered on Tuesday night for a vigil to remember the victims of the recent tragedy in Southport. However, chaos broke out outside a local mosque, leaving 53 police officers and three police dogs injured.
More than 100 protesters were arrested in Whitehall on Wednesday night, and police were pelted with bottles and cans. There was also violence in Hartlepool, County Durham. Cleveland Police have so far reported 12 arrests, including an 11-year-old boy suspected of setting fire to a police vehicle.
In Manchester, police had to step in to disperse the crowd at a protest outside the Holiday Inn on Oldham Road after beer bottles were hurled at police and passers-by.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the nation on Thursday, condemning the “far-right hatred” following the Southport stabbing and announcing a new “national” strategy to tackle violent rioting.
“The far-right has shown who they are. In response we must show who we are,” Sir Keir said.
Sir Keir said the new “national capabilities” would include intelligence sharing, widespread use of facial recognition technology and punitive orders restricting the movements of those involved.
The Prime Minister also issued a warning to social media companies after misinformation was spread about the identity of the 17-year-old suspect, including the false claim that he was an asylum seeker.
The press conference came just after an emergency meeting in Downing Street where police chiefs from Scotland Yard, Merseyside and West Yorkshire were called in for an emergency meeting with the Prime Minister and Cabinet following the series of violent incidents.
He blamed the “gangs of thugs” who caused chaos with their riots after the first attack in Southport, and complained that local communities were doubly affected.
Reform Britain’s Nigel Farage has come under heavy criticism after the Southport stabbing for uploading a video to social media suggesting the public was being denied the “truth” about the identity of the attacker.
After some of the fear and rumours surrounding Tuesday’s riots, Clacton MP Nigel Farage warned on Thursday night that “tougher prison sentences are needed for anyone who carries a knife. People need to be realistic.
Because what you saw on the streets of Hartlepool, London and Southport is nothing compared to what could be happening over the coming weeks.”