On Saturday, violent disorder engulfed several British cities, resulting in injuries to police officers and significant property damage. This marked the most extensive rioting in the country in 13 years, triggered by the murder of three young girls in northwest England.
Riots, involving hundreds of anti-immigration protesters, flared up in various towns and cities after false social media reports claimed the suspect in a knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport was a radical Muslim migrant. The police identified the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, 17, as a British-born individual. However, anti-immigration and anti-Muslim demonstrations persisted, escalating into violent clashes, arson, and looting.
Violent outbreaks occurred in Liverpool, Bristol, Hull, and Belfast, with scuffles and the throwing of bricks and bottles as anti-immigration protesters confronted groups opposed to racism. Numerous police officers were injured while attempting to prevent clashes between several hundred rival protesters, predominantly young men chanting slogans. In Liverpool, two officers were hospitalized with suspected facial fractures, and another was assaulted after being pushed from his motorbike during a disorder involving around 750 protesters and a similar number of counter-protesters, according to Merseyside Police.
At least two shops in Liverpool were vandalized and looted, and similar incidents were reported in Bristol, where anti-racist protesters outnumbered the anti-immigration groups. In Belfast, several businesses sustained property damage, with at least one set ablaze. Rahmi Akyol, owner of a cafe in Belfast, expressed his shock after his business was attacked by dozens of people using bottles and chairs.
Across Britain, police arrested numerous individuals on charges ranging from violent disorder to burglary and criminal damage. Extra police forces were deployed in cities, and mosques were advised to enhance security following an attack on a mosque in Southport. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been in office for a month, condemned the far-right for the violence and supported strong police action. He discussed the situation with senior ministers.
The last major riots in Britain occurred in 2011, following the police shooting of a Black man in London. On Friday night, anti-immigration demonstrators in Sunderland hurled stones at police and vandalized property near a mosque, leading to the overturning of vehicles and setting a car on fire near a police station. Mark Hall, chief police superintendent of the Sunderland area, described the incident as 'unforgivable violence and disorder.' Further protests were planned for Sunday.
