ALMOST 40 police officers have been injured in “sickening” riots in Southport as cars were torched and shops looted.
Cops clashed with rioters outside a mosque in the Merseyside town last night near where three children were killed in a horror stabbing.
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Those involved in the unrest included supporters of the English Defence League.
The mob set alight cars belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at the local mosque, damaged a local convenience store and set wheelie bins on fire.
North West Ambulance Service said 27 officers were taken to hospital.
Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and a concussion.
Other officers suffered head injuries, and serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious.
Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks thrown at them.
A third dog, Quga, suffered burns to her back leg, the force said.
The rioting followed a frenzied stabbing attack in Southport on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
The attack saw Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, fatally stabbed.
Eight other children were also stabbed, with five children and two adults left in a critical condition.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.
Speculation about the alleged attacker’s identity circulated online, fuelling the tension that already existed after Monday’s horrific attack.
Despite social media claims, the suspect was born in Cardiff.
Sir Keir Starmer said rioters would “feel the full force of the law” and accused rioters of hijacking “the vigil for the victims”.
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Writing on X, Sir Keir said: “The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday.
“They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.”
One Southport resident added: “They have no respect for a town that’s grieving.”
Jenni Stancombe, whose seven-year-old daughter Elsie was killed in Monday’s attacks, issued a plea to “stop the violence”.
In a message widely shared on social media, she wrote: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
“The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”
Local councillor Mike Salmon said rioting thugs were “utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children, and utterly disrespecting the town”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, he added: “There is no way to describe this – other than to say it is utterly reprehensible.
“The people of Southport will stand against that.”
Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims on Tuesday evening outside Southport’s Atkinson arts venue.
Many were in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance.
The vigil was followed by a separate protest outside a local mosque as demonstrators chanted far-right slogans and clashed with police in St Luke’s Road.
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 around 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.
Southport summer camp attack timeline
Monday, July 29
10am
Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop begins at The Hart Space in Hart Street
11.47am
Police called to reports of a stabbing, and a major incident is declared
5.25pm
Police confirm 17-year-old male was arrested – and later clarify he was detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
7.18pm
Police confirm two young children have died
Tuesday, July 30
8.30am
Police confirm suspect continues to be questioned
10.30am
Taylor Swift posts tribute on Instagram
12.30pm
Police confirm a third girl, aged nine, has died – also say ages of first two deaths were six and seven
3.20pm
Police named the three victims as Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
In a post on social media, the force said that shops had been “broken into and looted” adding that “those responsible will be brought to justice”.
Extra police will remain in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
A 24-hour Section 60 Order was introduced in the area running from 7.54pm on Tuesday, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals and is designed to minimise serious violence.
A Section 34 Order has also been introduced, giving police the power to direct people engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.
Merseyside police said these powers would not be used for anyone visiting the area and going about their daily business.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Goss, said: “Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.
“I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support.
“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park.”
He added: “This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting outside a mosque in Southport as “violent attacks from thugs on the streets”, which she branded “appalling”.
Ms Cooper told broadcasters that she saw a community “coming together” during her visit to Southport on Tuesday, and thanked police for their “heroism”.
She added: “That is why it is so appalling to now see those same police facing violent attacks from thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community.
“It is a total disgrace. Frankly, this is a time when everyone should be showing respect for a community and for the police.”
