Southport riots: Looters, arson, and over 400 arrests
Some people took advantage of the riots that erupted after the stabbing of three young girls in Southport near Liverpool. British media report looted stores and theft of alcohol, shoes, and cigarettes. Some establishments were also set on fire.
During the riots that erupted a week ago in Southport near Liverpool after the stabbing of three young girls by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana of Rwandan descent, over 400 people have already been arrested. The protests, which mainly attract supporters of the far-right, have an anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic nature. These sentiments are linked to false reports that surfaced right after the incident, claiming the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Exploiting the riots to loot stores
Over the past weekend, protests mostly turning into street brawls occurred in Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, Rotherham, Middlesbrough, Hull, Bolton, and Belfast.
British media report that stores were broken into and many garbage containers were set on fire.
"A shoe store was set on fire, and shocking photos show shoes scattered on the sidewalk. 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.
"Participants in the riots stole wine, shoes, and phones. During the riots, some stores were set on fire," adds portal independent.co.uk.
Prime Minister announces response
"In case of further riots, such as those that have swept through British cities for the past six days, a specialized police force is on standby," declared Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday after a meeting of the government crisis committee.
"We will have a specialized police force on standby to ensure we have enough officers to handle this," said Starmer. "Regardless of the alleged motivation, this is not a protest—it is pure violence and we will not tolerate attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities," he added.
He dismissed the accusation made by the right-wing populist Reform UK party that the police and judiciary treat far-right protests more harshly, while left-wing violence is tolerated. "There are no two-tiered policing standards. There is policing without fear or favour, exactly as it should be. Exactly as I would expect and require. So there is no such issue," he argued.
