Far‑right protests erupt at Downing Street following Southport attack

Riots and clashes with the police broke out at the gate leading to Downing Street, the British Prime Minister’s residence. The protest was organized in response to Monday's knife attack in Southport.

The far-right supporters' protest, under the slogan "Enough is Enough!", was legally organized. However, the police, while granting permission, set several conditions, including strictly limiting the area on Whitehall Government Avenue where the protest could take place.

The protest participants chanted names and slogans, including that of Tommy Robinson, leader of the far-right organization English Defence League (EDL), as well as phrases like "Protect Our Children" and "Stop the Boats."

Shortly after the demonstration began, participants moved beyond the designated area, heading towards the gate at Downing Street. Some threw flares through the gate, prompting police intervention. So far, 12 people have been arrested, but this number is expected to rise since the protest is ongoing.

The protest was convened in response to Monday's events in Southport, northwestern England, where a 17-year-old – born in the UK but of Rwandan descent – stormed into a yoga and dance class for children, killing three girls aged six, seven, and nine years old, and injuring 10 others, mostly children.

Due to rumours, which turned out to be false, that the perpetrator was a Muslim, riots broke out outside a mosque in Stockport, also involving EDL supporters. About 50 police officers were injured in the clashes.