Southport in turmoil: Knife attack and riots disturb peace
7:17 AM EDT, July 31, 2024
Riots occurred in Southport, England, on Tuesday. A police officer was injured, and a police vehicle was set on fire. The day before, a knife attacker struck in the city—three children died, and eight others were injured.
On Tuesday evening, several hundred people gathered near the site of the previous day's attack in Southport. The demonstrators wanted to observe a minute of silence for the slain and injured children and their guardians.
The initially peaceful protest got out of control, reports BBC. Masked individuals began throwing stones, bricks, and bottles at a nearby mosque.
The police had to intervene. Clashes then erupted between the demonstrators and the officers. One police officer was injured, and a patrol car was set on fire.
The police reported that "many" of the aggressive individuals were not city residents but people who had come to the city that day.
Knife attack in the UK: Children among the victims
The attack occurred on Monday in Southport, in northwestern England. The police were called to a community center in the afternoon. Officers apprehended a 17-year-old suspect and found a knife, which he most likely used to attack the children. Medical services transported the injured to hospitals.
A witness recounted seeing bloodied children running out of the community center, where dance and yoga classes were being held for children aged 6 to 11. Three girls aged 6, 7, and 9 died. Eight other children and two adults are in hospitals.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as horrific and shocking.
