Protesters clashed with police near Downing Street in London on Wednesday as Britain faced a second night of demonstrations following the deaths of three young girls in a frenzied knife attack at a dance class.
Thousands gathered near the Prime Minister’s residence, chanting “save our kids,” “we want our country back,” and “stop the boats,” along with English football chants. A large number of police officers, equipped with helmets, formed a barrier around the protesters, who had earlier thrown flares and smoke canisters towards Downing Street.
Police were also preparing for further unrest in Southport, the English seaside town where Monday’s stabbings took place. More than 50 officers were injured during violent clashes on Tuesday night.
A 17-year-old male is in police custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder following Monday’s bloody rampage at a “Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop,” a summer event for children aged 6 to 11.
Tuesday’s disturbances in Southport were fueled by false information spread on social media, suggesting the suspect behind Monday’s stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant. As a result, police vans were set on fire, and protesters hurled bricks, bottles, and fireworks at officers and at cars parked near the town’s mosque.
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, reassured the community, stating, “Just to reassure the communities of Southport, who I am sure are really worried about ‘are we going to see this again tonight?’ – we are absolutely planning for this evening and for the weekend ahead.”
Monday’s attack in the typically quiet town in northwest England resulted in the deaths of three girls aged six to nine. Eight other children were also stabbed, with five remaining in critical condition in the hospital, along with two adults who tried to protect them.
Although police are legally restricted in the details they can provide about the alleged teenage attacker, they confirmed that the incident was not terrorism-related and that he was born in Britain, dispelling speculation about his origins.
Despite this, protesters, believed to be supporters of a right-wing anti-Islam, anti-immigration group, targeted the mosque and attacked police officers who attempted to intervene.
Politicians and police noted that most of those involved in the violence were not from the local area. They criticized the clashes for overshadowing a large vigil attended by thousands to pay tribute to the young victims.
Police reported that 53 officers were injured, with eight requiring hospital treatment for serious injuries, including fractures and head wounds. Three police dogs were also hurt. Four men, aged between 31 and 39, have been arrested, and police are seeking to identify others involved in the violence.
“These individuals were there purely for hooliganism and thuggery, bringing that level of violence to the streets of Southport, which is not representative of this community,” the police chief said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, stating that the “violent thugs from out of town” would “feel the full force of the law.”
On Wednesday, the streets of Southport were littered with debris from the clashes, including broken bricks, smashed bottles, and large garbage bins. Charred tarmac marked the spots where police vehicles had been set alight the night before.
Local resident David Burgess expressed his dismay, saying, “What I saw last night was absolutely appalling … It was devastating and it’s kind of taken away from actually what’s gone on, which is the tragedy of those deaths.”