Over 100 arrests after London riots

More than 100 people have been arrested in London as further riots took place throughout the country in the wake of Southport stabbings. 

Violent incidents linked to the deaths of three young girls have been seen in London, Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot. In Hartlepool, police were attacked with missiles, glass bottles and eggs. A police car was set on fire during the violence after a large crowd of people gathered on Murray Street on Wednesday evening. 

The Manchester Evening News reported that 40 men and children gathered outside the Holiday Inn on Oldham Road around 6 pm on Wednesday. The paper reported that all individuals wore balaclavas in a “stand against asylum seekers currently housed in the hotel.” 

Alex Baker, local MP for Aldershot, posted on social media: “I have been liaising with Hampshire Police this evening regarding a significant incident at Potter’s International Hotel in Aldershot, where a peaceful protest descended into intimidating behaviour. 

“I have visited the scene myself this evening and have been in close touch with the Chief Inspector. This incident was exacerbated by people outside our community who came here determined to cause unrest. I would like to pay tribute to the brave police officers who worked hard to restore order. 

“There is no justification for disorderly behaviour, and these scenes do not represent Aldershot and Farnborough. We all support our shared right to peacefully protest, but we will not stand for people coming to our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.” 

In the capital, London, a large riot occurred under the banner ‘Enough is Enough’, with arrests made after demonstrators clashed with officers in Whitehall on Wednesday. 

The Metropolitan Police said: “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.” 

Demonstrators were also seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of officers in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares onto the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. 

Individuals who participated in the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest did so in response to the fatal stabbings that resulted in the death of three children and eight more being injured in Southport on Monday. 

Cleveland Police confirm that they made eight arrests for various offences, including public order and affray, after violence broke out in Hartlepool on Wednesday, with more arrests expected. 

Chief Superintended David Sutherland said: “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.” 

John Flanagan, local councillor for Manchester, said on social media: “I’d like to condemn these mindless thugs, attacking innocent men who are asylum seekers. They have been there for months, and we have not had any issues or problems. They have been in a place of safety. 

“It’s sickening to think they are being targeted because of their race or their religion, and I hope this isn’t tied with the disgraceful scenes in Southport where a mosque was attacked last night.

“These idiots are attacking innocent people. My initial reaction is to contact GMP and support them. The whole city and reasonable-thinking people will be horrified and sickened by these actions. Idiots is too soft of a word – I hope the police use the full force of the law. 

“We cannot allow our country and city to descend into anarchy, which seems to be driven by madness on social media.” 

To avoid a second night of rioting in Southport, where the stabbing that claimed the lives of three young girls occurred, Merseyside Police were given authority under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 on Wednesday to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons. 

Five people have been arrested since the riots began, with over 50 officers and three police dogs injured.  

The riots began as a 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murders of the three girls. The attacker has been remanded in custody and appeared in court on Thursday at Liverpool Magistrates Court.