Huge crowds chanting ‘English till I die’ have clashed with police outside a mosque in Southport near to where three girls were killed in a horrific knife rampage on Monday.
Riot officers have descended on the scene as they try to control the violence which has broken out amid speculation over the identity of the suspect.
The ugly scenes, which has seen a police van set on fire outside a mosque, comes as Merseyside Police issued a warning after an ‘incorrect’ name for the alleged Southport attacker was widely circulated online.
A 17-year-old boy, originally from Cardiff but from the nearby village of Banks, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder.
The violence appears to have been fuelled by false claims that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat which have spread online.
Merseyside Police said: ‘We would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.’
The force confirmed that a large group of protesters – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League – began to launch items towards a local mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport at around 7.45pm.
One officer has suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles have been damaged and set on fire.
It comes after the three girls stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class were today named by police as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuedsay evening as riots broke out
Huge crowds have clashed with police in Southport as tensions boil over following the knife rampage
Activists were seen launching missiles at police and attempting to damage riot vans
Wheelie bins and bricks were thrown at police, while a police van went up in flames – as police warned people not to speculate about the identity of the suspect
An aerial view of Hart Street on Monday, where a horrifying knife attack took place just before midday
They were among 11 children stabbed during a ‘ferocious’ knife attack which left mothers picking up their children screaming in horror.
Five further children, aged between six and 11, are in a critical condition alongside two female adults, among them hero yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who ‘bravely tried to protect them’.
As thousands of mourners attended an emotional vigil in Southport on Tuesday night, protests broke out on the streets surrounding Hart Street, where the attack took place.
Furious demonstrators tore down garden walls to use as missiles to pelt at police, with wheelie bins also thrown during the mayhem.
A police van was set on fire by protesters. Angry mobs chanted ‘Stop the boats’ and kicked out at police vans sent to restore order.
Some threw smoke bombs, with men wearing caps and shorts charging at outnumbered police.
Scores of riot vans and patrol cars raced to the scene as a police helicopter hovered overhead as the violence spread out of control.
It’s understood a number of officers have suffered what looks to be minor injuries in the chaotic scenes outside of a mosque.
Huge crowds of men, many masked and wearing hoodies, were seen clashing with police – as stones, bottles, bricks and fireworks were launched.
Demonstrators could be heard shouting ‘No surrender’ and ‘English till I die’.
It comes after inaccurate posts by social media sleuths about the identity of the perpetrator have received millions of views and engagements.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss: ‘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.
‘It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives.’
Downing Street also warned against ‘unhelpful’ speculation amid concerns that misreporting online could inflame community tensions.
The three girls stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class were today named by police as nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and six-year-old Bebe King (L-R)
Officers should be given the space to probe the case without people guessing at the possible motive or circumstances, No 10 said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister was repeatedly asked ‘how many more children will die?’ as he placed flowers at the scene of the attack.
Sir Keir Starmer’s brief visit, which lasted around two minutes, was interrupted by some members of the public heckling him.
As the Prime Minister walked past, one man declared: ‘Here’s your photo opportunity.’
Another shouted: ‘How many more children? Our kids are dead and you’re leaving already?’
Other furious onlookers shouted ‘scumbag’, ‘time for change’ and ‘go away, you’re not wanted’.
Another woman said: ‘I’ve just found out my friend’s nine-year-old daughter was killed, the person I’ve held as a child, and you can’t do s***.’
And a different man shouted: ‘Get the truth out!’
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said social media companies ‘need to take some responsibility’ for some activity in the aftermath of the attack.
Responding to shadow home secretary James Cleverly, she said: ‘I agree with him too about the responsibility on every one of us. The police do need to be able to pursue this investigation.
‘There will be wider questions for other days, but the most important thing is that every one of us supports the police in their investigation now.
‘I agree with him too about the responsibility on social media companies, because we do need to recognise there are things that are taking place on social media that go against their terms and conditions, and their commitments as well. They need to take some responsibility for that.
‘Above all, this is about young children. This is about children and their families who will be grieving, and the many other children who were involved yesterday who will be facing great trauma as well.’
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