Southport unrest leaves 39 police officers injured
When the incident occurred earlier, the Merseyside Police Department said that eight officers had suffered serious injuries, including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose, and a`police injured concussion.`police injured
In addition, a few officers suffered major facial and head injuries, and one officer was knocked unconscious. Bricks hit two of the police dogs, injuring three of the canines.`police injured
The disturbance, which the police stated was likely to involve fans of the English Defense League, started just a few blocks away from the location of the vigil held on Wednesday, next to a mosque located on St. Luke’s Road in Southport.
The individuals involved allegedly threw bricks at the mosque, set fire to vehicles and wheelie bins, and damaged a convenience shop in the area, according to the police.`police injured
The PA Media reported a fire in a police van in Southport. The PA Media reported that bottles and wheelie bins hit officers, according to the Merseyside Police.`police injured
According to the police, they implemented a 24-hour section 60 Order in the region as a result of the unrest. This order provides officers with expanded stop and search powers, allowing them to stop persons. The police also stated that the order would remain in effect until 19:54 British Summer Time on Wednesday.`police injured
Additionally, they implemented a section 34 Order, which gives law enforcement the authority to guide those who are either currently engaging in antisocial behavior or are “likely to become involved in such behavior.”
Extra officers will continue to station themselves in the region, according to the Merseyside Police Department, “to provide a visible presence and reassure communities.”
Furthermore, a limited number of ambulance resources will continue to present themselves at the scene on St. Luke’s Road to provide ongoing assistance to the police.
In a statement, Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss described the situation as “sickening” because it took place amid a “devastated” community.
ACC Goss expressed gratitude to local law enforcement personnel from the Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police, and North Wales Police for their assistance and support.
A large number of individuals “who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside” were involved in the unrest, he added.
“Unfortunately, offenders set fire to cars belonging to the general public and damaged cars parked in the parking lot of the mosque,” he said. “They also destroyed garden walls to use the bricks to attack our officers.”
There is no way to treat a community in this manner, especially a town that is still hurting from the atrocities that occurred on Monday.
After the attack that took place on Monday at a children’s dancing club located on Hart Street, officers took a young man of seventeen years of age into custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
According to ACC Goss, “There has been a great deal of speculation and hypothesis surrounding the status of a male who is currently in police custody and who is 17 years old. Some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets. We have already stated that the individual who was apprehended was born in the United Kingdom, and no one is benefiting from speculation at this time.”
Fears for one’s own safety
After the “horror inflicted on them yesterday,” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke on X and stated that the residents of Southport were “reeling” from the experience.
He asserted that individuals who had “hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery” had disrespected the community and would “feel the full force of the law” as a result of their actions.
During the time that stones were flying by and police officers were rushing to put on riot gear and pick up shields, neighborhood families expressed their concern to the BBC that they were in danger.
As she attempted to drive her small daughter away from the scene, a young mother yelled out from the front of her vehicle, “I can’t believe this is happening in Southport.”
The disturbance started when hundreds of people gathered close to a local mosque and attacked the front of the building by throwing rocks, bricks, bottles, pyrotechnics, and other containers. Many of the individuals wore scarves and hoods to conceal their faces.
The PA Media reported that the police positioned themselves in front of a structure made of red brick and held riot shields. A fire raged in the backdrop, and it was a police van. The PA Media reported seeing smoke rising from the scene in Southport, only a few streets away from the location where an earlier vigil stood.`police injured
Earlier, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper issued a warning against the spread of false information associated with the incident.`police injured
She described the situation as “appalling.”
“I think everyone should be showing some respect fo`police injuredr the community that is grieving and also for the police who are pursuing an urgent criminal investigation now, and who showed such heroism and bravery yesterday in the face of these horrific attacks,” she explained to reporters.`police injured
“This is a community that has borne witness to a catastrophe that is beyond comprehension, and it is in mourning.
“Such behavior is abhorrent and only causes further harm and suffering,” according to her statement. “Pay attention to the victims.”
“This is where all our focus should be,” she told reporters.
Flowers and other condolences were left for the Monday Southport incident victims, according to Reuters. Mother cradles toddler. The Liverpool Region Mosque Network told Reuters that the violence was “causing further fear and anxiety within our communities.”
It concluded: “We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division.”
Southport MP Patrick Hurley voiced “deep concern” over today’s violent protests. He claimed “people from outside our Southport community attacking our police and local people” were involved.
