Far-right confrontations with police spread across northern UK cities

Far-right protests took place across the UK on Saturday, when demonstrators clashed with riot police. The protests and counter-demonstrations were held in cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast. They followed another night of riots during which a mosque in Sunderland was attacked and several cases of arson were reported. Protesters shouting “stop the boats” in support of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson were met with anti-racism protesters in some places. In Manchester, there were scuffles between protesters and police in the city centre and at least two arrests, one for drunk and disorderly behaviour. Protesters in Hull smashed a window at a hotel housing asylum seekers, while in Stoke video appeared to show stones and fireworks being thrown in the direction of police and counter-protesters. In Liverpool, several police officers were injured while dealing with serious disorder, Merseyside Police said. Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers as they lined The Strand in the city centre. Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields. Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have “faced eggs and bottles being thrown” as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”. Violence broke out in the city of Sunderland on Friday night after a planned protest linked to the murder of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport last week. Hundreds of people gathered in city centre, many of them draped in England flags and chanting anti-Islam slogans. The protest, organised under the slogan Enough is Enough, descended into violence, with some demonstrators overturning a car that had been set on fire, while others gathered in front of a mosque, which police moved in to protect. A mosque in Southport was attacked on Tuesday, a day after the three girls were stabbed to death at a summer club, which was followed by the spread of misinformation suggesting an asylum seeker on a terrorism watch list was responsible. On Friday night, a police station in Sunderland city centre was attacked, cars were set on fire, and an office of the Citizens Advice Bureau, which provides free assistance to members of the public, was burnt down. Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron said three officers had been taken to hospital to get treatment for their injuries. “Anyone involved in the disorder we have seen can expect to be dealt with robustly, and that action has already begun,” she said. “Eight people have so far been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary. A full investigation is now under way to identify anyone else responsible.” Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson condemned the violent scenes, which he described as “criminal thuggery”. “I am appalled by the disorder in the centre of Sunderland tonight. Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble,” he said in a post on social media. Police across Britain had been braced for violence fuelled by an organised disinformation campaign by far-right agitators. Protests were planned for at least a dozen UK towns and cities this weekend. Intelligence sources have told The National they expect a summer of riots to break out, raising memories of 2011, when London was gripped by looting and arson attacks. At least 15 Enough is Enough rallies had been advertised online, calling on “patriots” to gather with England flags and demand an end to asylum seekers and migration. Several of the advertisements included the phrases “save our kids” or “stop the boats”. One of the planned far-right protests was due to take place near the route of a pro-Palestine march in central London. Hundreds of mosques are strengthening their security and putting in place protective measures, while Home Office Minister Lord Hanson told would-be rioters to “be prepared to face the full force of the law on this criminal activity”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England. Mr Starmer also created a violent disorder unit and vowed to “take every step possible” to keep the Muslim community safe after days of riots . Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, six-year-old Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were stabbed to death during an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday. A 17 year old, identified as Axel Rudakubana from Banks in Lancashire, has been charged with the murder of the three girls, as well as the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight other children at the event. He has also been charged with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

Far-right confrontations with police spread across northern UK cities

Violence and unrest following fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport