By Angela Ferguson, Lesley Hitchen, Callum May & PA Media, BBC News
Smoke billows from a fire started by protesters as riot police stand guard after disturbances near the Southport Islamic Society Mosque in Southport, northwest England, on July 30, 2024, a day after a deadly child knife attack. Photo: AFP / ROLAND LLOYD PARRY
Several officers have been injured and a police van set on fire during a protest just hours after a vigil took place to remember the victims of a knife attack in which three children were killed.
The protest, which police said was believed to involve English Defence League supporters, began only a few streets away from the vigil location, near to a mosque on St Luke's Road in Southport.
Merseyside Police said a number of officers had been injured, police vehicles had been damaged and set alight, and a shop had been looted in the disturbances which began at about 19:45 BST.
Assistant chief constable Alex Goss said it was "sickening" that this was happening within a "devastated" community.
He said that on Monday the officers had been "faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face".
"Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder."
He added the protest involved many people "who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside".
This combination of pictures created on July 30, 2024 shows handout pictures released by Merseyside Police in London on July 30, 2024, of nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar (L), seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and six-year-old Bebe King. Photo: AFP PHOTO / Merseyside Police
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after Monday's attack on a children's dance club in Hart Street.
Goss said: "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.
"We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK, and speculation helps nobody at this time."
'Fears for safety'
PM Sir Keir Starmer said on X that the people of Southport were "reeling" after the "horror inflicted on them yesterday".
He said that those who had "hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery" had insulted the community and would "feel the full force of the law".
Families living nearby told the BBC they feared for their safety as stones flew past and police officers rushed to put on riot gear and pick up shields.
"I can't believe this is happening in Southport," one young woman shouted from the front of her car as she tried to drive her young daughter away.
The riot began after hundreds of protesters gathered near a local mosque attacking the front of it, throwing bricks, bottles, fireworks and rocks, many with hoods up and scarves hiding their faces.
Merseyside Police said those behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an Islamist link to Monday's stabbings.
The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper had earlier warned about disinformation linked to the attack.
The suspect has no known links to Islam.
Cooper later said it was "appalling" that police officers in Southport were facing attacks from "thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community".
"I think everyone should be showing some respect for the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now, and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks," she said.
In a statement on X, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell also said she was "absolutely appalled by the disgraceful scenes of violence".
"This is a community which has faced unimaginable tragedy, and it is grieving.
"Such behaviour is abhorrent and only causes further harm and suffering," she added.
'Focus on victims'
Merseyside Police chief constable Serena Kennedy posted on X that more than 1000 residents from Southport had come together at the vigil to remember the little girls who had died, those who were still critical in hospital and all those who witnessed and were traumatised by the events from yesterday.
"This is where all of our focus should be," she said.
The Liverpool Region Mosque Network said the violent scenes were "causing further fear and anxiety within our communities".
It added: "We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division."
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was "deeply concerned about reports of violent protests tonight".
He said the protests involved "people from outside our Southport community attacking our police and local people".
- BBC