A 55-year-old woman in the United Kingdom has been detained for sharing a social media post with false details about the suspect in the Southport murders.
The woman, from the Chester area, was arrested on Thursday (Aug 8) on charges of spreading material that could incite racial hatred and making false statements. She is currently held by Cheshire police.
“We have all seen the violent disorder that has taken place across the UK over the past week, much of which has been fuelled by malicious and inaccurate communications online,” Cheshire police Superintendent Alison Ross said.
“It’s a stark reminder of the dangers of posting information on social media platforms without checking the accuracy. It also acts as a warning that we are all accountable for our actions, whether that be online or in person,” he added
Court jails UK man for inciting ‘racial hatred’
A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 20 months in prison by a judge in Leeds, northern England, on Friday. He admitted to posting on Facebook with the aim of “stirring racial hatred” during the recent riots.
This is the first case tied to the riots where someone has been punished. Jordan Parlour was convicted for making posts that encouraged attacks on a hotel in the city that was sheltering asylum seekers and refugees.
Police across the UK have warned about the spread of an “incorrect” name for the Southport suspect, now identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, and false information about his background.
A 39-year-old from Lancashire was also arrested for allegedly using social media to incite violent behaviour, according to Merseyside police.
The man, from Rufford, Ormskirk, is suspected of encouraging or assisting in serious crimes and was also arrested for his involvement in violent disorder in Southport on July 30.
On July 29, three girls were tragically killed in a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. This incident sparked protests in Southport, Liverpool city centre, and Walton, fueled by false claims that the attacker was an immigrant and a radical Islamist.
On the day of the attack, police said that they had arrested a 17-year-old from a nearby village and confirmed that they were not treating the incident as a terror-related act.
Over 100 police officers were injured while handling the riots which eventually spread to multiple cities across the UK. As of Tuesday (Aug 6), more than 400 arrests had been made, with the number likely to increase. Some of those arrested are as young as 11.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced what he refers to as “far-right thuggery.” He has vowed to pursue charges and convictions “whatever the apparent cause or motivation” and warned that those involved in the violence, including those inciting it online, will face consequences.
All injured children from Southport knife attack discharged
The UK police said that all children who were injured in the knife attack in Southport have now been sent home from the hospital.
Ten people, including two adults, were seriously injured and were taken to hospitals in the North West after the Southport knife attack. The last injured girl, who was being treated at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, has now been discharged and will recover at home.
(With inputs from agencies)