Residents reported that individuals who participated in the disturbance last night had come from other places with the intention of causing chaos, as they also vandalized and looted shops.
Describing the violent protests and riots in Southport following a stabbing as resembling a 'war scene', disorder erupted on the streets of the seaside town last night (Tuesday), near where a brutal stabbing occurred at a children's dance event on Monday. Chaos ensued following a vigil held to honor the victims of the knife attack and those still in critical condition in the hospital.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine; Bebe King, aged six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, have all been identified as victims. A 17-year-old boy, whose identity is protected due to legal reasons related to his age, is currently in custody facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
According to Merseyside Police, the disturbance began last night when a large group of individuals, believed to be supporters of the English Defence League, started throwing objects like bricks at a mosque. Police officers donned helmets and riot gear as stones and bottles were hurled at them, resulting in damage to police vehicles and some being set ablaze.
Through a social media post, the police force reported incidents of shops being broken into and looted, emphasizing that those responsible will face legal consequences. The North West Ambulance Service stated that amid the chaotic events, 27 police officers were hospitalized, while 12 others received treatment and were discharged at the scene.
Earlier today, numerous local residents gathered outside the mosque with brushes and shovels to assist in the clean-up efforts. Norman Wallis, the CEO of Southport Pleasureland, was present at the intersection of Sussex Road and St Luke’s Road, where he mentioned that this initiative was partly a response to his social media appeal following the violent events on Tuesday evening.
Describing the riots as reminiscent of a 'war zone', Mr. Wallis expressed his shock at the chaos caused by outsiders who had descended upon the town. He condemned the actions of the troublemakers, stating: "It’s disgraceful what transpired last night.""The situation resembled a battlefield, with individuals from other areas wreaking havoc.
"Individuals wearing hoods were seen scaling lampposts, hurling bricks, and setting a police car ablaze. However, none of these troublemakers were residents of Southport.
"The true residents of Southport are the ones currently working to clean up the aftermath. Those who caused the chaos arrived in buses and cars from elsewhere, with spare clothes in tow.
"They initiated the riots and the destruction." He went on to say: "Numerous individuals have come forward to assist, and today we have a considerable turnout of locals aiding in the remarkable cleanup."
Chanaka Balasuryla, a shop owner, shared how the Southport community supported him after his store was looted during the unrest. Mr. Balasuryla recounted calling emergency services after observing men attempting to break in, as captured on his home CCTV camera located five minutes away.
He described feeling 'terrified' at the thought of the premises being set on fire, especially with a woman and her daughter residing in a flat above. He later learned that the woman had bravely confronted the intruders, identifying herself as the shop owner in an effort to deter them.
Mr Balasuryla explained that after getting a few hours of sleep, he received a phone call urging him to come down as there were many people ready to offer assistance.
He also mentioned that local residents had promised to protect his shop if needed. He expressed, “It was a frightening experience last night, but now I feel secure knowing that there are people here to safeguard us.”
Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport, attributed the riots to 'beered-up thugs.' Addressing the arrest of a 17-year-old boy following a stabbing incident on Monday, he emphasized, "Even if the teenager turns out to be Muslim, it is never justified for anyone to attack a mosque under any circumstances.
"Especially not by these intoxicated troublemakers who wreaked havoc in town last night. We must all unite against such behavior, and Southport will not tolerate it.
He mentioned that the community of Southport would come together to oppose such actions. He further stated that the individuals involved were troublemakers who had arrived on the train and were not locals from Southport.
"They exploited the tragic event on Monday, the loss of three young children, for their own political agenda, even targeting the same emergency responders and police officers who had been present at the scene on Monday. These troublemakers then proceeded to throw bricks at them the following day."
"It is impossible to find words other than 'utterly reprehensible' to describe this situation. We need to identify these individuals and ensure that they face the full consequences of the law. Their actions show a complete lack of respect for the families of the deceased and injured children, as well as for the town."
The suspect in the stabbing incident, who is currently in custody, was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, according to the police. Merseyside Police stated that while the motive behind the attack is not clear, it is not believed to be linked to terrorism. Follow Manchester Today on Facebook, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Newsdesk@ManchesterToday.org.uk
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