On Tuesday evening in Southport, a tragic day of mourning for children lost in a stabbing attack took a turn for the worse when nearly 40 police officers were injured during a disturbance caused by far-right protesters.
A group, reportedly including supporters of the far-right extremist organization English Defence League, instigated violence by attacking a mosque in Southport, as reported by the Merseyside Police Service.
This violent outburst seemed to stem from false information circulating online following the stabbing incident on Monday. The attack on Monday resulted in the death of three children and injuries to eight other children and two adults during a dance class in Southport. The police swiftly arrested a 17-year-old suspect from Cardiff, Wales, on charges of murder and attempted murder. Due to legal restrictions concerning minors, the suspect’s identity was not disclosed by the authorities. They also cautioned against believing any names circulating on social media, emphasizing that speculations were unhelpful during this sensitive time.
Alex Goss, the assistant chief constable of the Merseyside police, condemned the violence on Tuesday night. He stressed, “There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets.” Goss further clarified, “We have already said that the person arrested was born in the U.K. and speculation helps nobody at this time.”
