In recent days, the U.K. has experienced a surge of violent riots instigated by far-right protesters. The unrest commenced on a Tuesday night, following a tragic stabbing incident that resulted in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to several others during a dance and yoga class in northwest England.
The attack, which occurred on July 29, has fueled rising Islamophobic and anti-immigration sentiments across the nation, prompting hundreds of arrests, leaving dozens of officers injured, and damaging multiple properties, including a mosque and a hotel that housed asylum seekers.
As the riots entered their sixth day on Sunday, protests continued unabated. Here are the key details:
The catalyst for the riots was the stabbing spree that took place at a Taylor Swift-themed class in Southport, where three girls—Bebe King, 6; Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9—lost their lives. Ten others, including eight children, were also hurt. A 17-year-old male was apprehended at the scene, though his identity was withheld due to his age. Rumors circulated online, falsely alleging that the assailant was an asylum seeker, despite the police identifying him as Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Wales.
In response to the tragedy, rioters gathered in Southport, targeting a local mosque. The mosque’s congregation sought refuge inside as individuals outside hurled petrol bombs and bricks at it, leading to injuries for 53 police officers engaged with the rioters.
The unrest quickly spread beyond Southport, igniting protests in cities like Manchester, Hartlepool, Liverpool, Bristol, and London, as well as Belfast. In Rotherham, around 700 rioters surrounded a Holiday Inn Express that houses asylum seekers, resulting in broken windows and a flaming trash can being thrown at the building.
In Belfast, protests led to a café, supermarket, and several vehicles being set ablaze. Witnesses reported that the violence was driven by racism against Islam and the Muslim community.
In Whitehall, 111 individuals were arrested on Wednesday as clashes with officers ensued, with five officers injured by thrown objects.
In reaction to the protests, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the riots as “far-right thuggery” and emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated. He labeled the events as organized violence rather than legitimate protests. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper voiced her full support for police actions against rioters, advocating for severe penalties, including imprisonment and travel restrictions.
Amidst the turmoil, instances of community solidarity have emerged. In Southport, local residents rallied to clean up and provide free food to impacted individuals. Additionally, various landmarks across England, including Downing Street, were illuminated in pink to honor the victims and support the Southport community following the stabbing incident.