Police face 'serious violence' in Sunderland as unrest over Southport stabbings continues
ITV News' Shehab Khan reports on the clashes between rioters and police
Northumbria Police say officers have been "subjected to serious violence" at a riot in Sunderland as unrest continues over the Southport stabbings.
On Friday evening, hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square draped in England flags, chanting in support of Tommy Robinson and shouting insults about Islam.
Mounted police followed the march as violence erupted. Rioters set an overturned car on fire while others targeted a mosque.
Police in protective gear were under continuous attack as rioters discharged fire extinguishers at them and threw stones and beer cans.
In a statement on X, Northumbria Police said: "Our officers are continuing to deal with ongoing disorder and have been subjected to serious violence.
“The scenes that we are seeing are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Ensuring the public’s safety is our utmost priority.”
Videos posted on social media appeared to show a fire at a city centre police office, which was marked permanently closed on Google Maps and was no longer listed on a police station finder on Northumbria Police’s website.
It comes after a week of violent scenes across the country following a knife attack in Southport at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday which left three girls dead.
The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said those "stoking disorder" will "pay the price for their violence & thuggery".
"Criminals attacking the police & stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence & thuggery," she said."The police have the full backing of Government to take the strongest possible action & ensure they face the full force of the law. "They do not represent Britain."
Police forces across the country have said they are braced for more protests over the weekend.
Nottinghamshire, Thames Valley and South Yorkshire Police said they are aware of potential demonstrations that could take place in the coming days.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new “national” response to the disorder linking police forces nationwide.
The Muslim Council of Britain said on Friday that hundreds of mosques are increasing security and implementing protective measures in anticipation of more planned protests.
A leading expert on right-wing extremism, Professor Matthew Feldman, called for urgent action to address the "tsunami of lies" on social media fueling protests across the UK.
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He said within 30 hours of fake news spreading about the Southport stabbings suspect, it had ignited protests that injured 53 police officers.
The 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
Rudakubana is also charged with ten counts of attempted murder and with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
He was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear in court in October.
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