Police Clash with Protesters Across UK Amid Rising Far-Right Tensions
Recent unrest in several UK cities has seen confrontations between police and protesters, following a stabbing attack in northwest England earlier this week. The incident, which took place in Southport, resulted in the deaths of three children during a Taylor Swift-themed yoga class.
The attack has heightened tensions nationwide, with far-right groups accused of spreading false information on social media. They inaccurately claimed that the attacker was an illegal immigrant. However, UK police have confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, was born in Cardiff, Wales, and have publicly named him despite his age.
On Saturday, anti-immigrant protesters gathered along Southport’s riverside, chanting slogans like “Stop the Boats,” referring to the small vessels used by asylum seekers crossing the English Channel.
In response to the escalating violence, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a meeting with his senior cabinet ministers. A Downing Street spokesperson stated that the Prime Minister affirmed full support for police action against extremists disrupting communities and attacking officers. “The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things,” Starmer noted.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also condemned the violence, stressing that “thuggery” has no place in the country.
Protests have spread to other cities, including Manchester, Belfast, and Liverpool. In Manchester, demonstrators marched with signs reading “Save our Kids,” while counter-protesters held signs against fascism and racism. In Belfast, riot police were deployed as protesters clashed with pro-Palestinian counter-demonstrators, resulting in injuries from fireworks. Notably, Belfast’s anti-immigrant protest saw a rare alliance between Unionists and Nationalists.
In Liverpool, police reported injuries among officers due to serious disorder. The unrest is part of a broader trend of anti-multicultural and anti-government protests, with anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate estimating around 35 protests over the weekend.
Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, stated that police resources would be increased to manage the situation effectively.
Earlier this week, the Muslim Council of Britain advised mosques to enhance security after reports of attacks on mosques in Southport and Hartlepool. In Sunderland, violent protests led to ten arrests and four police injuries. Rioters targeted a local mosque and shouted anti-Islam slogans.
In Southport, the scene of the stabbing, further disorder erupted as crowds protested based on unverified reports about the suspect’s identity. The 17-year-old appeared in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article. Reporting restrictions on his name were lifted by a judge.
Prime Minister Starmer has vowed to address the surge in far-right violence, outlining a national action plan with police chiefs earlier this week.