Police van set alight as protest breaks out in Southport

A police van has been set on fire during a protest just hours after a vigil took place following a knife attack in which three children were killed.

The protest, which police said was believed to involve English Defence League supporters, began just a few streets away from the vigil location, near to a mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport.

Merseyside Police said an officer suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles had been damaged and set alight in the disturbances at about 19:45 BST.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives.”

The protest comes after the arrest of a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after a knife attack on Hart Street in the seaside town on Monday.

Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were killed in the stabbing, which occurred at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop aimed at children aged six to 10.

Five other children remain in hospital, as well as two adults in critical condition.

ACC Goss added: “Yesterday, our officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face.

“Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder.”

ACC Goss said the protest involved many people “who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside”.

“There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets,” he added.

“We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.”

Families living nearby told the BBC they feared for their safety as stones flew past and police officers rushed to put on riot gear and pick up shields.

“I can’t believe this is happening in Southport,” one young woman shouted from the front of her car as she tried to drive her young daughter away.

The riot began after hundreds of protesters gathered near a local mosque attacking the front of it, throwing bricks, bottles, fireworks and rocks, many with hoods up and scarves hiding their faces.

Merseyside police said supporters of the far right English Defence League were behind the violence.

They had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an Islamist link to Monday’s stabbings.

In a statement on X, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “absolutely appalled by the disgraceful scenes of violence”.

“This is a community which has faced unimaginable tragedy, and it is grieving. Such behaviour is abhorrent and only causes further harm and suffering,” she added.

She said officers were “working around the clock to get justice for the families”.

Ms Spurrell said it was “completely unacceptable that they – and the wider community – are now being put in danger by those who would bring violence and disorder to our streets”.

Merseyside Police chief constable Serena Kennedy posted on X that she was “incredibly proud of my officers and staff who have worked so hard to save the lives of children, investigate the horrific incident from yesterday, working with partners to provide reassurance to our communities and now they are facing this level of violence from these thugs”.

She said over 1,000 residents from Southport had come together at the vigil to remember the little girls who had died, those who were still critical in hospital and all those who witnessed and were traumatised by the events from yesterday.

“This is where all of our focus should be,” she added.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it was “appalling” that police officers in Southport were facing attacks from “thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community”, adding: “It’s a total disgrace”.

The Liverpool Region Mosque Network said the violent scenes were “causing further fear and anxiety within our communities”.

It added: “We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division.”

Southport MP Patrick Hurley said he was “deeply concerned about reports of violent protests tonight”.

He said the protests involved “people from outside our Southport community attacking our police and local people”.