Last night in Southport, tensions boiled over as a group of rioters clashed with police outside a local mosque. This unrest erupted after a tragic knife attack on Monday, which claimed the lives of three young girls.

The attack took place during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, leading to widespread outrage and speculation about the suspect’s identity.

The chaos began shortly after thousands gathered for a vigil to honor the victims: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

As the vigil concluded, a group of individuals, believed to be associated with the English Defence League, began targeting the mosque with thrown objects.

The violence was fueled by incorrect online claims about the suspect’s identity, including false suggestions that he was an asylum seeker.

In the midst of the unrest, a 32-year-old man was arrested for carrying a flick knife near Eastbank Street. Meanwhile, on St Luke’s Street, rioters surrounded the Southport Mosque and the Islamic Cultural Centre, hurling rubble at police officers and smashing windows.

A 17-year-old, originally from Cardiff but living in Banks, Lancashire, remains in custody on charges of murder and attempted murder.

The violence intensified as demonstrators set fire to police vehicles and looted shops. Stones, bottles, and fireworks were thrown, and officers were forced to don helmets and riot gear.

The rioters, many masked and dressed in hoodies, chanted slogans and clashed with police, who struggled to control the situation.

By 8 p.m., around 500 rioters had gathered on Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road, trapping about 40 officers in between.

The crowd began attacking police vehicles, including setting one on fire.

Despite the police’s efforts to restore order, the violence continued into the night, with rioters building barricades and throwing debris.

As the riots unfolded, community leaders and officials condemned the violence. Merseyside Police urged the public to refrain from speculating about the case while the investigation is ongoing.

Local mosque groups and community leaders called for unity and condemned the attempts to divide the community through hate and violence.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Southport MP Patrick Hurley criticized the violence and emphasized the need to support the grieving community and the police.

They stressed the importance of respecting the ongoing investigation and refraining from spreading misinformation.

Social Media’s Role

There have been calls for social media companies to take responsibility for the misinformation circulating online, which has exacerbated tensions.

Officials have urged the public to avoid engaging in speculative or inflammatory discussions that could further impact the investigation and community relations.