- Three girls killed in knife attack in north-west England.
- Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups profit from the killings.
- Misinformation is being spread that the suspect was a radical migrant.
LONDON: Police arrested dozens of people after protests in parts of England and Northern Ireland turned violent on Saturday, as the government vowed tough action against those it said were exploiting the murder of three girls to foment disorder.
Violent protests involving hundreds of anti-immigration groups have erupted in towns and cities across Britain after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport, north-west England, last week.
The killings were exploited by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups as misinformation spread that the suspect was a radical immigrant.
Police have said the suspect was born in Britain. Media reports have indicated his family was Christian.
Violent rioting took place in cities across the country on Saturday, including Liverpool, Bristol, Hull and Stoke-on-Trent, as well as the town of Blackpool, with local police saying they had arrested at least 87 people. There was also unrest in Manchester and Belfast.
Shops and businesses were vandalised and looted, a library in Liverpool was set on fire and several police officers were injured, police said.
“Criminal violence and vandalism on our streets will not be tolerated,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Saturday evening.
“Police forces have my full support in ensuring that those who commit criminal disorder face the most severe penalties possible.”
Saturday's protests were the most widespread after several days of unrest following the killings. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said they are the result of deliberate actions by the far right, coordinated by a “group of individuals who are absolutely hell-bent on violence”, rather than a legitimate protest.
The last time violent protests erupted in Britain was in 2011, when thousands of people took to the streets after police shot dead a black man in London.
More protests are planned for Sunday, according to messages circulating on social media.
