Protests broke out in Southport, UK, after a stabbing incident resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to several others.
These aren’t “far-right protestors.” They are grieving, traumatized families in Southport after three of their little girls were stabbed to death by an Islamic extremist https://t.co/sVBln8xSmB [1]
— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) July 30, 2024 [2]
The demonstrations quickly turned violent, leading to clashes between protesters and police outside a local mosque.
The protest in Southport has turned into a riot as furious locals focus their anger on the police
Locals are protesting following the death of three young children who were brutally killed in a stabbing spree.
The police line is pelted with rubbish, trash cans and other objects… pic.twitter.com/EYrYYrc2ho [3]
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 30, 2024 [4]
Riot police were deployed to control the escalating situation.
Protests in Southport became violent and objects were thrown at police a day after three young girls were killed in an attack on a dance class.
It comes after a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Earlier thousands attended a separate peaceful vigil. pic.twitter.com/HbzolFWMTU [5]
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 30, 2024 [6]
Police clash with protesters outside Southport mosque as tensions rise
Read more: https://t.co/PT9WIwYU7k [7] pic.twitter.com/LNSnBdbEVy [8]
— ITV News (@itvnews) July 30, 2024 [9]
The unrest saw the burning of police vans and objects being hurled at officers.
Police vans on fire after a protest in Southport turns into a riot.
The usually sleepy seaside town of Southport was the scene of a horrific stabbing spree in which three children were brutally knifed to death. pic.twitter.com/o7p9HuSaYV [10]
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 30, 2024 [11]
Original article below:
A Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in the UK turned into a nightmare [12] on Monday morning, as a hooded 17-year-old unleashed a knife attack, leaving two young children dead and at least nine others injured.
The incident took place in Southport, just outside of Liverpool, with the assailant targeting children and adults who attempted to intervene.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy confirmed the devastating toll, with two children losing their lives and several others, including six children, fighting for survival.
Two adults were critically injured while trying to shield the young dancers from harm.
The responding officers were met with a shocking and chaotic scene, as multiple victims, many of them children, had suffered serious injuries.
JUST IN – “17-year-old male” arrested after killing 2 children, critically injuring 6 children and 2 adults with a knife in Southport, England.pic.twitter.com/BWO7YRfCRU [13]
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 29, 2024 [14]
Eyewitnesses described [12] a grim sight at The Hart Space, where the dance workshop was being held.
Describing the attack as reminiscent of a scene from a horror movie, locals were left shaken by the violence that unfolded in their community.
Statement [15] from the Merseyside Police:
“We can confirm that a 17-year-old male from Banks, who was arrested in connection to the stabbing in Southport this morning, Monday 29 July, remains in police custody and will be questioned about the incident.
At this early stage, enquiries are ongoing to establish the motive for this tragic incident and we would urge people not to speculate while the investigation is ongoing.
We can also confirm that the incident is not currently being treated as terror-related and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Any updates will be provided to the public when available.
Communities can also follow Merseyside Police on social media for updates and if they want to submit information, they can do so on the Merseyside Police website or Crimestoppers.”
Reports indicated that around 25 children between the ages of 6 and 11 were present at the event, with witnesses recounting the chaos that ensued as the attacker arrived in a taxi.
Children were seen fleeing with injuries, with disturbing accounts of stab wounds on various parts of their bodies.
As the wounded victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as “horrendous and deeply shocking.”