dpa
London
Violent protests in British towns and cities led to officers being injured as objects such as bricks, chairs and bottles were thrown at police.
The riots came after the killing of three young girls in a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town of Southport on Monday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the police have his “full support” to take action against “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those engaging in violent disorder “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets.”
Cities in England and Northern Ireland saw clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter-protesters on Saturday, with police forming lines with riot shields to keep groups apart.
Police said a number of officers were injured during “serious disorder” in Liverpool city centre, with one officer being hit on the head by a chair.
Bricks, bottles and a flare were also thrown at officers in the city centre. Another officer was kicked and knocked off his motorcycle by a demonstrator and others tried to kick riot shields.
In the city of Hull, four people have been arrested as three officers were hurt during a protest in which a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers.
Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said officers have “faced eggs and bottles being thrown” as windows were smashed at the hotel which has housed migrants.
Elsewhere, bricks were thrown at officers in Stoke-on-Trent and fireworks were thrown amid tense exchanges between an anti-Islamic group and an anti-racism rally in Belfast. Four men have been arrested following disorder in the Staffordshire city.
And scuffles broke out as opposing groups faced each other in Nottingham’s Market Square with bottles and other items thrown from both sides, and chants of “England till I die” and “Tommy Robinson” were drowned out by boos from counter-protesters. At least three people were led away in handcuffs in the East Midlands city.
Around 150 people carrying St George flags shouting “You’re not English any more” and “Paedo Muslims off our street” were greatly outnumbered in Leeds by hundreds of counter-protesters shouting “Nazi scum off our streets”.
Thousands of people had turned out to pay their respects to Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar,9, at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday.
