Violent clashes between protesters and police erupted outside a mosque in Southport, in the UK, after three girls were killed in a knife attack.
Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice DaSilva Aguiar (9) were killed in a knife attack on Monday in a studio on Hart Street during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class for children. Five children and two adults remain in a critical condition in hospital after what police described as a “ferocious attack”.
Hundreds of people took part in a vigil on Tuesday evening outside Southport’s Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance.
The vigil was followed by a protest outside a mosque in Southport as demonstrators chanting far-right slogans clashed with police on St Luke’s Road.
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Merseyside Police said “a large group of people – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League” – began to throw items towards the mosque at about 7.45pm.
Officers put on helmets and riot gear after stones and bottles were launched at them and police vehicles were damaged and set on fire.
Merseyside Police said an officer suffered a suspected broken nose in chaotic scenes outside the mosque as missiles were thrown at the police.
The situation outside the mosque appeared to have calmed down as dark descended, with numbers on the street having thinned.
A 17-year-old boy, from the Lancashire village of Banks but born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, with police saying the motive for the knife attack remains unclear.
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.
“In the last 24 hours, we have seen overwhelming support and sympathy from the community and wider Merseyside communities for the families who are currently trying to deal with their loss and care for victims injured during the major incident.
“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.
“The actions in Southport tonight will involve 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.
“We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.
“Our officers should not have to face this, but we will be there tonight to ensure the safety of the local community who have suffered enough, and will arrest those involved in criminal behaviour.”
The suspect, who police said was armed with a knife, was being questioned on Tuesday. The force is not treating the incident as terrorism-related.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer visited Southport on Tuesday afternoon to lay flowers at the scene and pay his respects. The brief visit, lasting barely two minutes, was marred by hostile shouts from some members of the public.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Starmer said he came to pay his respects “to the victims and families who are going through raw pain and grief that most of us can’t imagine – I can’t imagine, as a dad myself”.
He said he had received a briefing about the ongoing investigation and wanted to thank emergency services for their efforts.
“No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe,” Bebe King’s family said after the attack.
Alice DaSilva Aguiar’s family said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess. Like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that. Love from your hero Daddy and Mummy.”
Earlier, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, travelled to the Merseyside town and laid flowers at the police cordon on Hart Street, along with the Southport MP, Patrick Hurley, the Merseyside police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, Merseyside fire and rescue service’s chief fire officer, Phil Garrigan, and the Merseyside police and crime commissioner, Emily Spurrell.
Taylor Swift spoke out about the attack on Tuesday, saying she was “completely in shock”. The US singer said in a post on Instagram: “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Mr Hurley urged people to avoid speculation on social media that could “inflame tensions” in the area. “The town doesn’t want that. The town is in mourning, the town is in shock, and we need to make sure that what is online is reflective of the reality on the ground,” he said.
Local residents described scenes of panic and terror in the immediate aftermath of the attack, as parents frantically tried to find their children, many of whom were being treated for their injuries on the street.
Colin Parry, the owner of Masters Vehicle Body Repairs, about 50m from the dance studio, said he had a heated exchange with a person he believed to be the attacker moments before the stabbings took place.
“He came down our driveway in a taxi and didn’t pay for the taxi, so I confronted him at that point. He was quite aggressive, he said: ‘What are you gonna do about it?’” Mr Parry recalled.
Mr Parry added that a member of staff then saw “about 10 kids go running past him, all bleeding, and one of them collapsed on the floor”.
ITV News published footage of a masked individual pacing in front of a house they say was later raided by police in Banks, a village about 8km from the scene of the attack.
An individual wearing a green hoodie and a face mask can be seen walking back and forth outside the house, with footage later showing several police cars and a group of officers, including some who are armed, appearing at the same house. – Guardian