Southport riots after knife attack. News. Riots broke out a day after a terrible knife attack that shocked the UK. On Monday, a 17-year-old boy attacked children with a knife. Three girls, aged six, seven, and nine, died. Five others and two carers are in critical condition. Police are not sharing details about the attacker for legal reasons. According to the BBC, he is the son of Rwandan immigrants. On Tuesday, an emotional vigil was held in the streets, with thousands remembering the murdered girls. However, hours later, riots broke out, injuring 39 police officers, eight seriously.
Southport riots after knife attack
The deaths of three girls, 7-year-old Elsie Dot S., 9-year-old Alice D.-A., and 6-year-old Bebe K., in Southport have shocked the entire UK. A 17-year-old boy stabbed them during a dance class to Taylor Swift’s music. For legal reasons, the police are not sharing details about the attacker, and British media are reporting that this is to prevent him from gaining notoriety. According to the BBC, he is the son of Rwandan refugees.
On Tuesday evening, riots broke out in the city. A police car was set on fire in front of a mosque, and hooligans threw bottles, bricks, concrete slabs, and smoke bombs at the mosque and police officers. Due to the riots, 39 police officers were injured, with 27 hospitalized, according to the regional emergency service.
A false name for the attacker has appeared online, and authorities have warned against spreading false information that he is a refugee who arrived by boat. Police are asking people not to speculate while investigations are ongoing. The Daily Mail reports that some of the rioters are supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right group.
On Tuesday, new Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the crime scene to lay flowers. His brief visit was met with anger from some residents, who shouted at him, expressing their frustration.
The attack in Southport happened on Monday when the 17-year-old broke into a school where children were attending a workshop that included yoga, dancing, and bracelet-making to Taylor Swift’s music. The attacker entered the class and began stabbing the children. Two girls died at the scene, and a third died in the hospital. Five other children and two carers were seriously injured and are in critical condition in the hospital.