Far-right demonstrators threw flares towards Downing Street and a statue of Winston Churchill as they clashed with riot police in London.
A few hundred protesters joined the “Enough is Enough” demonstration in Whitehall on Wednesday evening in the wake of the tragic knife attack in which three children were killed and eight others were injured in Southport.
More than 100 people were arrested at the demonstration, where the crowd was heard chanting “Rule Britannia” and “we want our country back”.
Unrest was also reported in Hartlepool, where police made several arrests and a car was set on fire.
Merseyside Police has made a fifth arrest following violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday night, which saw a mob throwing bricks and bottles outside a mosque.
Police accused individuals who are not part of the Merseyside community of using lies and disinformation around the identity of the knifeman in Monday’s attack “to bring violence and disorder to our streets”.
A 17-year-old, who cannot be legally named because of his age, has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article. He will appear in court on Thursday.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk
Key Points
- Boy, 17, charged with murders of three young girls in Southport stabbing attack
- Right-wing protesters clash with riot police in London
- Family of hero yoga teacher give update on her condition
- Southport residents help with clean-up outside mosque targeted by rioters
Scenes of violent unrest break out across UK overnight as Southport protests spread
07:43
Tara Cobham
Scenes of violent unrest broke out in London, Hartlepool and Manchester overnight while a demonstration in Aldershot saw a tense stand-off with riot police.
In London, more than 100 people were arrested after protesters in Whitehall launched beer cans and glass bottles at police and threw flares at the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
Demonstrators wearing England flags and waving banners saying “enough is enough” and “stop the boats” had congregated outside Downing Street in the wake of the killing of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, which social media posts had wrongly claimed was carried out by a Muslim asylum seeker who crossed the Channel in a small boat.
The angry scenes also included loud chants of: “We want our country back” and: “Oh Tommy Robinson”, referring to the right-wing activist. One man wore a shirt with the slogan: “Nigel Farage for Prime Minister, Tommy Robinson for Home Secretary”.
Confrontations continued late into the night in Hartlepool, where demonstrators set fire to a police car and pelted officers with missiles, including glass bottles.
Cleveland Police have so far made eight arrests, with more expected.
Manchester police confronted another demonstration outside the Holiday Inn on Oldham Road before dispersing the crowd after protesters started throwing beer bottles at officers and members of the public.
According to the Manchester Evening News, this incident also saw chants of: “We want our country back”, while a group of men were seen jumping in the path of a bus, smashing its wing mirror and assaulting a passenger.
Aldershot appears to have escaped the violence seen in other parts of the country, but a demonstration there was still met by riot police.
The string of violent incidents follows similar scenes in Southport on Tuesday, where demonstrators attacked police and set cars on fire.
Starmer to meet police chiefs after second night of violence hits Britain
07:30
Tara Cobham
The Prime Minister is set to hold an emergency meeting with senior police officers in Downing Street following a second night of violence across England.
The meeting in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon comes after scenes of violent unrest in London, Hartlepool and Manchester overnight while a demonstration in Aldershot saw a tense stand-off with riot police.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to remind the police that people “exploit” the right to protest in order to “sow hatred” or commit “violent acts” should be met with “the full force of the law”.
He is expected to express his full support for their efforts to deal with the violence and praise their “bravery” in dealing with both the incident in Southport and its aftermath.
He will also commit to working in partnership with police forces across the UK and encourage them to use their powers to “stop mindless violence in its tracks”.
ICYMI: Hero dance teacher awake but ‘not out of the woods yet’, family say
07:00
Athena Stavrou
The hero yoga teacher who was stabbed while protecting children in the Southport knife attack is awake and has spoken for the first time, her family said.
Leanne Lucas, 35, has been in critical condition since a knifeman targeting both children and adults at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class on Monday morning.
Ms Lucas, who is believed to have been running the class, has been described by her cousin Chris Rimmer as a “hero” and who had “shielded two girls” during the attack.
He told the BBC that the family have been “torn apart” by the incident. He added that she is “not out of the woods yet”, but that she is recovering.
“Everyone that is sat in this house right now is just concentrating on getting her home and concentrating on her [recovering enough] that we can see her,” Mr Rimmer added.
Man charged in connection to Southport riots to appear in court today
06:30
Athena Stavrou
A man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon after riots in Southport, Merseyside Police said.
A man was detained in Eastbank Street in the town at around 6.55pm on Tuesday and a knife was recovered, the force added.
Jordan Davies, 32, of Portland Street, Southport, has been charged with possession of a knife, blade or sharp-pointed article in a public place.
He will appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court on Thursday.
Starmer to clamp down on ‘mindless violence'
06:16
Andre Langlois
The prime minister will host senior police leaders in Downing Street on Thursday afternoon in the wake of violent unrest in multiple parts of the country.
He is expected to remind the police that people “exploit” the right to protest in order to “sow hatred” or commit “violent acts” should be met with “the full force of the law”.
Sir Keir Starmer will commit to working in partnership with police forces across the UK to stop “mindless violence” following scenes of unrest in Southport, London, Hartlepool and elsewhere.
Pictures: ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Whitehall
06:00
Athena Stavrou
How peaceful vigil for tragic loss of three young lives descended into violent riots in Southport
05:00
Athena Stavrou
Southport should have been a town in mourning after the tragic loss of three young lives in horrific circumstances – instead, a peaceful vigil on Tuesday later descended into chaos as violent riots broke out on the streets.
The tight-knit community of Southport gathered in the town centre at 6pm to grieve together. Hundreds of people held each other and wiped away tears as Martin Abrahams, the spiritual leader at Southport Hospital, said the crowds “show we want to stand together”.
But despite the mournful air, tensions that had been building throughout the day were palpable.
There were growing fears over how many were going to turn up to a far-right protest planned to take place outside a mosque on St Luke’s Road that evening, an event police were understood to be monitoring.
My colleague Tara Cobham reports from Southport:
Southport riots: Jo Cox’s partner says ‘Farage nothing better than Tommy Robinson in a suit’
04:00
Athena Stavrou
Mosque chairman feared rioters would break in and burn building down - ICYMI
03:00
Athena Stavrou
A mosque chairman and imam has described being trapped in the building while violence erupted outside as “terrifying” but said the supportive community response has been “humbling”.
Ibrahim Hussein said he is at a loss as to why people shouting abuse and throwing missiles had targeted Southport mosque and that he had feared rioters would at one point break in and “burn the place down”.
Police officers suffered serious injuries in the disorder on Tuesday night, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for the victims of a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Mr Hussein said the experience, in which he and around eight other people were trapped inside the mosque, had been “terrifying”.
“It was absolutely, awful, horrendous,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr Hussein, who only escaped at midnight with a police guard, added: “We couldn’t understand this viciousness that was going on, and even the police were taking a hammering from this lot.”
Recap: Violent protest breaks out in London
02:00
Athena Stavrou
Far-right protesters clashed with police for a second evening on Wednesday, as a large demonstration took place outside Downing Street and near the Cenotaph.
Chants of “Rule Britannia” and “you’re not English any more’’ were directed at police were along Whitehall, as several hundred people gathered in the wake of the tragic knife attack and subsequent riots in Southport earlier this week.
Hundreds of officers kitted in riot gear lined the street around the Cenotaph, tackling the occasional protester to the ground as violent confrontations broke out.
Riot police detained a number of violent protesters, after the Metropolitan Police set out public order conditions for the protest badged ‘Enough is Enough’.
When one woman was detained, shouts of “traitors” could be heard amongst the crowd, alongside cries of “how many kids?”.
The angry mob had gathered at 7pm on Wednesday after news of the demonstration had circulated on social media.
A police helicopter circled overhead as beer bottles and flares were thrown in central London over the course of two hours, with Winston Churchill’s statue and the Downing Street gates targeted.
Independent media bloggers were seen livestreaming to the event while push backs against the police were met with loud jeers.
How lies and disinformation about Southport knife attack suspect led to riots
01:00
Athena Stavrou
As families mourned the death of three young girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, riots broke out stoked by disinformation about the suspect’s identity.
The day after police were called to the scene of a mass stabbing, in which eight other children and two adults were also injured, a riot outside a mosque in Southport led to 39 officers being injured in violent clashes, including 27 who needed hospital treatment.
Unrest has also broken out in London and Hartlepool on Wednesday evening.
But how did the lies and disinformation that fuelled these scenes spread? My colleague Andy Gregory has the full story:
Watch: Boy, 17, charged with murder and attempted murder after Southport stabbings
Thursday 1 August 2024 00:39
Athena Stavrou
BREAKING: Boy, 17, charged with murder after Southport knife attack
Thursday 1 August 2024 00:28
Athena Stavrou
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five of them in a critical condition – while two adults were also critically hurt.
Speaking at a late-night press conference, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.
He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Southport rioters had ‘no regard’ for families affected by tragedy, police say
Thursday 1 August 2024 00:01
Athena Stavrou
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “Our work to identify all those responsible for the despicable violence and aggression seen on the streets of Southport on Tuesday continues.
“We have been inundated with images and footage from members of the public who were outraged at the destruction carried out.
“The individuals involved in the disorder had no regard for the families and friends of those who so tragically lost their lives, and a community in grief.
“It has been heartening today to see the reaction of the whole community, who have pulled together to clean the streets, rebuild walls and re-glaze broken windows.”
Over 100 arrested at Whitehall protest
Wednesday 31 July 2024 23:53
Athena Stavrou
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: “This evening during a planned protest on Whitehall some disorder took place.
“Officers acted to ensure the disorder was contained.
“Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.
“Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Car set alight in Hartlepool
Wednesday 31 July 2024 23:53
Athena Stavrou
A police vehicle was set alight as disorder continued in Hartlepool town centre.
A series of pops could be heard from the fire which looks to have destroyed the vehicle which had been parked in Dent Street, before there was a louder bang as the fuel tank went up in flames.
Firefighters extinguished the blazing car, leaving it a smouldering shell.
People posed for selfies with the wreck after the fire brigade moved on.
Four arrested in Hartlepool
Wednesday 31 July 2024 23:30
Athena Stavrou
Four people have been arrested after glass bottles and eggs were thrown at police by protesters in Hartlepool.
Several officers suffered minor injuries responding to the disorder, Cleveland Police said.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: “We currently have a high policing presence while officers respond to disorder that is taking place in Hartlepool following a protest that began this evening.
“At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.
“Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.
“I want to urge members of the public to stay away from the area.”
Pictured: Police officers on the streets of Hartlepool following a violent protest
Wednesday 31 July 2024 22:58
Athena Stavrou
Arrests after protests in Hartlepool
Wednesday 31 July 2024 22:20
Athena Stavrou
Several people have been arrested following a protest in Hartlepool, police said.
Jonathan Brash, the Labour MP for the town, said he was “deeply concerned” about the situation and would be meeting with police to discuss their response to the incident.
Videos on social media show a crowd of people in a street, with one showing a youth throwing objects at a line of police in riot gear holding shields.
On social media Cleveland Police said: “Officers remain in the Murray Street area while dealing with disorder after responding to a protest – several arrests have already been made.
“The road is still closed and people are advised to avoid the area.”
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Brash said: “I’m deeply concerned about the situation that is developing in Hartlepool this evening. I will be meeting with police to discuss the response to this incident and would urge calm to allow our emergency services to do their job.
“These events do not represent what Hartlepool is or the values that our people hold. Violence is never the answer.”
It comes after similar disorder in Merseyside and Whitehall, London after the mass stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three girls and left eight more children and two adults injured.
Man charged after Southport riots to appear in court tomorrow
Wednesday 31 July 2024 22:04
Athena Stavrou
Merseyside Police have charged a man with possession of an offensive weapon following the riots in Soutport on Tuesday night.
Jordan Davies, 32, of Portland Street, Southport has been charged with Possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.
Davies will appear at Wirral Adult Remand Court tomorrow, Thursday 1 August.
The force said: “A report was received at 6.50pm that a man was seen with a knife on Eastbank Street.Officers attended and a man was detained at around 6.55pm, and a knife was recovered.”
Fifth man arrested in connection to Southport riots
Wednesday 31 July 2024 22:02
Athena Stavrou
Merseyside Police have arrested a fifth man in connection with the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday night.
Officers were called to a report of a domestic incident in Southport on Wednesday, where it was reported a man had made threats to a male family member. Police attended and the suspect was taken to hospital for treatment for a head injury.
Officers recognised the man from footage of the disorder in Southport on Tuesday, where he is alleged to have thrown rocks at officers and struck a police van, and where it is believed the head injury was sustained.
The suspect was reported to have racially abused a fellow patient while at the hospital.
A 39-year-old man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, threats to kill and a racially aggravated public order offence.
He has been taken into custody to be interviewed. He has been conditionally bailed.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “Our work to identify all those responsible for the despicable violence and aggression seen on the streets of Southport on Tuesday continues.
“We have been inundated with images and footage from members of the public who were outraged at the destruction carried out.“
The individuals involved in the disorder had no regard for the families and friends of those who so tragically lost their lives, and a community in grief.
“It has been heartening today to see the reaction of the whole community, who have pulled together to clean the streets, rebuild walls and re-glaze broken windows.”
Remaining protesters detained
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:54
Athena Stavrou
Remaining protesters are being detained and led out of Whitehall for breaching a dispersal order.
Tens of protesters are being handcuffed near the Cenotaph and led away by police.
More clashes as protesters driven into Trafalgar Square
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:27
Athena Stavrou
Protesters are being detained as police drive demonstrators out of Whitehall and into Trafalgar Square.
Several men were wrestled to the floor and handcuffed after confronting police.
Police are now attempting to open Whitehall to traffic, several hundred officers were involved in the operation to manage the protest.
Hero dance teacher awake but ‘not out of the woods yet’, family say
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:25
Athena Stavrou
The hero yoga teacher who was stabbed while protecting children in the Southport knife attack is awake and has spoken for the first time, her family said.
Leanne Lucas, 35, has been in critical condition since a knifeman targeting both children and adults at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class on Monday morning.
Ms Lucas, who is believed to have been running the class, has been described by her cousin Chris Rimmer as a “hero” and who had “shielded two girls” during the attack.
Chris told the BBC that the family have been “torn apart” by the incident. He added that she is “not out of the woods yet”, but that she is recovering.
Rimmer says the family was “torn apart” by the incident.
“Everyone that is sat in this house right now is just concentrating on getting her home and concentrating on her [recovering enough] that we can see her,” he adds.
Police pushing remaining crowd towards Trafalgar Square
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:13
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
Police are now pushing the remaining crowd up towards Trafalgar Square in two lines with some resistance from the crowd.
They have lessened however and are significantly outnumbered by police
Pictured: Women detained at protest
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:12
Athena Stavrou
Crowd quietens
Wednesday 31 July 2024 21:04
Athena Stavrou
The crowd at Downing Street appear to have calmed, Holly Evans reports from the scene.
More than a dozen people were arrested this evening as the right wing “Enough is Enough” demonstration turned violent.
Police have now formed a line and are gradually clearing the area.
Quiet in Southport as unrest breaks out in London
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:54
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Barney Davis is in Southport where things are looking quiet tonight after two days of intense sadness and chaos.
Fears of another riot this evening have not materialised as the town returns to its usual quiet as it continues to mourn the victims of Monday’s knife attack.
Southport quiet as a mouse this evening. Businesses shutting early some in fear of another riot which *touch * doesn’t appear to be materialising.
— Barney Davis (@BarneyDavisIND) July 31, 2024
One business owner said:“That’s summer over” pic.twitter.com/1dOiIxL6k5
More arrests
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:40
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
Another group of men wearing England flags have now been arrested as another brawl emerges, with one woman seen being detained.
Lots of people are on the ground and a distressed woman is screaming “leave him alone”.
Helicopter seen over Whitehall as protest continues
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:37
Athena Stavrou
A helicopter has been seen hovering over tonight’s right-wing protest in Whitehall.
The Independent’s Holly Evans is at the scene and said there is lots of angry shouting as another police line is formed, with several chanting Tommy Robinson’s name.
The crowd has signifcantly lessened however but small pockets of violence have continued to break out
Watch: Flares set off on Churchill statue as protesters clash with riot police near Downing Street
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:26
Athena Stavrou
Police form second line
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:23
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
Police are now forming a second line outside the Cabinet Office after a group of protesters dashed out and made their way past the Women of World War II statue.
Lots of jeering and shouts of ‘traitors’ to the officers, as well as chants of ‘how many kids’.
A group of tourists, who appear to have been caught in the middle have been ushered to one side with the young daughter crying ‘mum what’s going on’
Pictured: Riot police arrest right-wing protesters
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:16
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
A number of people now being arrested, with one man shouting: “how can you arrest me? I love this country, how can you arrest me?”
More than a dozen detained
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:09
Athena Stavrou
More than a dozen protesters have been detained by police on Whitehall.
Officers led many of the men away in handcuffs.
A police helicopter is flying over Downing Street amid the unrest.
Flares and smashed glass heard at protest
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:08
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
Riot police have gotten themselves ready after a scuffle broke out, with flares being set off to loud cheers.
Chants of ‘how many kids’ and ‘tommy robinson’ are being repeated. Another fight has since broken out with smashed glass heard.
Police and protesters fall to ground
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:08
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
A number of people have now been detained by the police, with one group of protesters and police falling to the ground.
Several protesters, some who have travelled as far as Swindon, can be heard chanting ‘traitors’ at the police, while another pocket can be heard shouting ‘Tommy Tommy Robinson’.
A large police presence including a helicopter are surrounding Downing Street, with empty beer cans already littering the floor.
More pictures from Whitehall
Wednesday 31 July 2024 20:01
Athena Stavrou
Demonstration escalating
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:58
Athena Stavrou
Our reporter Holly Evans is at the scene where the demonstration is growing increasingly tense.
Two men have just been detained as the crowd chants “freedom” while some hold England flags by the Cenotaph.
Police detain protester
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:54
Athena Stavrou
Police detained a man wearing a balaclava near Downing Street. Officers wrestled the man off the road and onto the pavement.
Beer cans and glass bottles are being launched at a line of police in riot gear who have assembled to block Whitehall in front of Downing Street.
Other protesters have attempted to kick down a fence and were confronted by riot police.
Very heavy police presence
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:49
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Holly Evans is reporting from the scene in Whitehall.
She described a very heavy police presence, with more riot police arriving as the demonstration continues.
Shouts of “for christ and for king” have been heard as many carry flags with the words ‘hear us England roar’ while wearing bucket hats with the Union Jack.
Protesters chant Tommy Robinson’s name around Cenotaph
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:34
Athena Stavrou
Protesters at the “Enough is Enough” demonstration have thrown cans at police outside Downing Street.
Officers put on riot gear as demonstrators chanting Tommy Robinson’s name surrounded The Cenotaph.
Pictured: Whitehall protester detained at ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:30
Athena Stavrou
Flares thrown at Winston Churchill statue by protesters
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:28
Athena Stavrou
Protesters have thrown flares on to the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
The demonstrators also shouted abuse at nearby pro-Ukrainian demonstrators and police.
Loud chants of “Oh Tommy Robinson” and “we want our country back” were also heard.
Protesters throw flares towards Downing Street
Wednesday 31 July 2024 19:20
Athena Stavrou
Protesters have thrown flares towards the gates of Downing Street at a demonstration taking place in the wake of the murders and subsequent riots in Southport.
A few hundred protesters chanting “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats” attempted to leave the pavement opposite Downing Street in defiance of strict Metropolitan Police conditions on the protest.
Shortly after 7pm, the protesters – many of whom were drinking alcohol – began marching towards Parliament Square.
Pictures: Crowd begins to gather at ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Whitehall
Wednesday 31 July 2024 18:56
Athena Stavrou
Mosque chairman feared rioters would break in and burn building down
Wednesday 31 July 2024 18:40
Athena Stavrou
A mosque chairman and imam has described being trapped in the building while violence erupted outside as “terrifying” but said the supportive community response has been “humbling”.
Ibrahim Hussein said he is at a loss as to why people shouting abuse and throwing missiles had targeted Southport mosque and that he had feared rioters would at one point break in and “burn the place down”.
Police officers suffered serious injuries in the disorder on Tuesday night, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for the victims of a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Mr Hussein said the experience, in which he and around eight other people were trapped inside the mosque, had been “terrifying”.
“It was absolutely, awful, horrendous,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr Hussein, who only escaped at midnight with a police guard, added: “We couldn’t understand this viciousness that was going on, and even the police were taking a hammering from this lot.”
Fears of more far-right riots after thugs hijack horrific Southport stabbing
Wednesday 31 July 2024 18:25
Holly Evans
Police are braced for more violence after far-right protesters hijacked the tragic murders of three schoolgirls in Southport to launch riots which left 50 officers injured.
Far-right thugs were accused of using the horrific stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class to “whip up hatred” as misinformation about the identity of the suspected knifeman spread like wildfire on social media.
There have been calls for the government to come down hard on those spreading misleading information as Merseyside Police called in support from other forces amid fears of further action.
Read the full article here from our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin:
