Displaying items by tag: Southport

On 7 August, thousands of counter-protesters took to UK streets as anticipated far-right unrest failed to materialise. Stand Up To Racism captioned photos, 'This is what a mass movement looks like’. Over 6,000 specialist police were mobilised due to fears of violence similar to the past week's events. However, as the night progressed, the far-right protests did not occur. In Birmingham, hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered outside a migrant centre with signs like 'no place for hate' and 'bigots out of Brum’. Thousands turned out in Bristol, creating a calm atmosphere with music. In Walthamstow, a large crowd carried signs reading 'love migrants, hate racism’. In Liverpool, hundreds guarded a day centre for asylum-seekers, chanting 'migrants are welcome' and 'fascists out’. Small pockets of far-right protesters appeared in some cities, but large-scale unrest did not occur. Authorities warned that troublemakers would face severe consequences, with some already sentenced for their involvement in previous violence. Church leaders called for an end to the disorder. See

Police have released photographs of fourteen men and boys they want to speak to following riots in Merseyside after the recent deaths of three young girls in Southport. The violent disorder spread to different cities, causing injuries to officers and widespread damage. Merseyside Police stressed the importance of identifying those pictured in the CCTV images and urged anyone who recognised them to come forward. Det Supt Paul Speight stated, 'The communities of Southport and beyond were disgusted by the violence and damage caused last week and at the weekend. We are continuing to process information, images, and footage, and we’ll take action to arrest, charge, and prosecute anyone identified.' Several suspects have already appeared in court, with three men jailed for violent disorder, including setting a police van on fire and assaulting an officer. Merseyside police have arrested 42 people so far, with 16 charged and three jailed.

Axel Rudabakana, a 17-year-old, has been charged with the murder of three young girls during a dance class in Southport. Bebe King (6), Elsie Stancombe (7), and Alice Aguiar (9) were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed event on 29 July. Axel, who appeared in court on 1 August, also faces ten counts of attempted murder. Responding officers found multiple victims suffering from severe injuries. Two adults were critically injured while protecting the children. Families of the victims expressed their grief, with Bebe’s family stating their devastation and Alice’s family paying tribute to their 'Princess’. In the wake of the attack, violence has erupted in Southport and in four cities,, causing many police injuries and leading to many arrests: see