Southport: Merseyside Chief Constable ‘concerned’ about potential repeat of far-right riots
Merseyside Police’s Chief Constable has expressed concerns about the potential for further violent disorder in Southport after “violent thugs” protested outside a mosque.
Serena Kennedy acknowledged that communities in the grieving town are “really worried” and mentioned that the force is “planning for this evening and for the weekend ahead.”
Speaking on Wednesday, she stated, “We are receiving strong support from police forces across the North West to ensure we have sufficient resources to prevent a repeat of last night.”
Regarding the resources deployed on Tuesday, Ms. Kennedy said, “We were well prepared and had sufficient resources. However, the number of people who showed up increased rapidly, and the situation quickly escalated, requiring us to call for mutual aid.”
ITV Granada Reports correspondent Elaine Willcox has the latest updates from the mosque in Southport targeted by far-right protesters.
The chief constable reported that 54 officers, including 49 from Merseyside Police and four from Lancashire, were injured in the riot, which occurred hours after a peaceful vigil honoring three murdered children.
The victims, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift holiday workshop on Monday, July 29.
Eight other children sustained knife wounds, five of whom are in critical condition, and two adults were also critically injured.
Detectives investigating the knife attack have been granted more time to question the 17-year-old suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Merseyside Police confirmed that officers had requested additional time from magistrates to question the teenager, who has not been named due to his age and remain in custody.
The law permits officers to hold a suspect in custody for up to 96 hours, or four days, for serious crimes.
Hundreds of people, believed by police to be members of the English Defence League, gathered outside a mosque in protest on Wednesday night.
Fifty officers sustained serious injuries when bricks, stones, and bottles were thrown, and cars were set alight during violent protests following a vigil for Alice, Bebe, and Elsie.
Merseyside Police reported that “a large group of people—believed to be supporters of the English Defence League—began throwing items such as bricks towards the place of worship around 7:45 pm.”
Officers donned helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were hurled at them, and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire.
Merseyside Police reported that eight officers suffered serious injuries, including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose, and concussion.
In a social media post, the force stated that shops had been “broken into and looted” and assured that “those responsible will be brought to justice.”
A police cordon remains in place on Hart Street, two days after the attack, with mourners continuing to lay flowers, balloons, and messages of condolence for the victims.
Representatives from Farnborough Road Infant School, where Elsie attended, visited the scene on Wednesday to lay their own floral tributes.
The suspect, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, near Southport.
Police have indicated that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy reported that three people were arrested on Tuesday night.
She said, “Our priority was to try and keep the communities of Southport safe and also to ensure officers remained safe.
“Three arrests were made, but more will follow. It’s impossible to say how many will be arrested at this early stage of the investigation.”
She estimated that 200 to 300 people were involved, adding, “Initially, there were about 70 people who left the vigil and were heading towards the mosque.
“That number quickly grew to about 200, and others joined them.”
Angela Rayner has criticised the “disgraceful” rioting in Southport and “disrespectful” social media theories as she urged people to allow the police to establish the facts.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “I think there’s been a couple of instances recently where, especially particularly online, where theories and things are whipped up, whereas actually it turns out to be not true or not the full picture.
“And I think there’s a culture now where people want to instantly get the facts, but actually it’s important that police and those people that are doing the work are able to carry out that work.
“And it’s important for justice as well, because we have law and order in the UK, and it’s important that those authorities are able to establish the facts and then to be able to bring those forward.
“But speculation and some of the untruths that have been put around social media, not only is that creating tensions and fear in the community, but it’s disrespectful to family who maybe want those answers that haven’t got those answers.”
She remarked that it is “really unhelpful for the police” and urged, “My plea is that we all need to step back and wait; the information will come, but we must allow the police to do their work.”
Ms Rayner also indicated that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will “be examining” whether the English Defence League should be banned under terrorism laws following the riot in Southport.
“We have laws and proscribed groups, and these are reviewed regularly. I’m confident that the Home Secretary will consider this as part of the routine process and based on the intelligence we have.”
She emphasized that the key issue is addressing the minority of people exhibiting thuggish behavior, which does not align with British values.
Ms Rayner added, “The incitement and occurrence of violence on the streets have no place in our democracy, and we must take action against those who perpetuate and spread violence within our communities.”
