Several suspects arrested in violent protests following the fatal stabbing of three children in northwest England were set to appear in court on Friday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the clashes, attributing them to 'far-right hatred' and pledged to restore law and order on the streets by providing additional resources to police forces across the U.K.
Online promotions for demonstrations in various towns and cities, including Sunderland, Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester, have been circulating with slogans such as 'enough is enough,' 'save our kids,' and 'stop the boats.'
John Woodcock, the British government's adviser on political violence and disruption, highlighted a coordinated effort to incite violence, particularly by far-right groups aiming to provoke similar incidents nationwide.
The tragic attack on children at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance class in Southport shocked the nation, where knife crime is a persistent issue, although mass stabbings are uncommon.
A 17-year-old, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with the murder of three children and 10 counts of attempted murder for injuring eight children and two adults in the same incident.
Following the attack, violent protests erupted across the country, fueled by misinformation suggesting the attacker was Muslim and an immigrant, despite Rudakubana being born in Britain to Rwandan parents.
Far-right demonstrators engaged in violent clashes with police in various locations, leading to multiple arrests. The police are actively reviewing footage to identify and apprehend those involved in the disorder.
Prime Minister Starmer attributed the street violence to 'far-right hatred' and announced the National Violent Disorder Program to enhance intelligence sharing among police agencies and facilitate swift arrests. The program will utilize facial recognition technology and criminal behavior orders to combat violent behavior.
Starmer also called out social media companies for their role in inciting violence online, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between their benefits and potential threats.
