Riots in Southport: Looting, arrests, and police response
Some people took advantage of the riots that erupted after the stabbing in Southport near Liverpool of three young girls. British media report on looted shops, theft of alcohol, shoes, and cigarettes. Some establishments were also set on fire.
During the riots that erupted after the stabbing a week ago in Southport near Liverpool of three young girls by a 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who has Rwandan roots, over 400 people have already been arrested. The protests, which primarily attract far-right supporters, are anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic in nature, a response to false reports that emerged right after the murder, alleging that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Exploiting riots to loot shops
Over the past weekend, protests that mostly turned into street brawls took place in Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Hull, Bolton, and Belfast.
Media report breaking into shops and setting many rubbish bins on fire.
"A shoe shop was set on fire, and shocking photos show shoes scattered on the pavement. Humberside Police Chief Darren Wildbore said officers 'faced egg and bottle throwing' as windows were smashed at a nearby hotel housing migrants," reports mirror.co.uk.
"Riot participants stole wine, shoes, and phones. During the riots, some shops were set on fire," adds the independent.co.uk portal.
Prime Minister promises response
In the event of further unrest, such as those that have been sweeping through British cities for six days, an army of specialised police officers is on standby – stated Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday after a meeting of the government's crisis committee.
We will have an army of specialised officers on standby to ensure we have enough to handle it, said Starmer. Regardless of the alleged motivation, this is not a protest - it's pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities, he added.
He rejected the accusation made by the right-wing populist party Reform UK, that police and the justice system treat far-right protests more harshly while tolerating violence from the far left. There is no two-tier policing. There is policing without fear or favour, exactly as it should be. Exactly as I would expect and demand. So there is no question, he argued.
