Police attacked and mosque targeted after protests in Sunderland

Rioters battled police in the streets of Sunderland city centre following a planned protest linked to the Southport knife attack.

Hundreds of people gathered in Keel Square, many of them draped in England flags, on the evening of Friday 2 August.

Members of the crowd chanted in support of Tommy Robinson. Others shouted insults about Islam.

It comes after disorder broke out following a protest in Hartlepool on Wednesday 31 July.

Mounted police followed the march, along with officers in vans who fought their way through traffic to keep up.

However, some protesters descended into violence, setting an overturned car on fire, while others targeted a mosque.

Police in protective gear came under sustained attack as rioters set off fire extinguishers on them on High West Street.

There was also a standoff between police and protesters outside a mosque on Sunderland’s St Mark’s Road.

Police in riot gear came under attack with stones and beer cans thrown at them.

Some protesters argued about “two-tier policing” as the police threw a protective ring around the mosque.

Mounted police pushed back demonstrators, some of whom were in masks.

A police officer deployed to keep order in Sunderland commented: “That was bad tonight.

“I feel really bad for the council, they’ve spent all this money doing up the new square for this to happen.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "I’m appalled by scenes from Sunderland.

"Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery.

"It’s not protest. It’s crime and disorder. You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region. Those grieving in Southport will take no comfort from this.”

Northumbria Police posted on social media that they will not tolerate behaviour like the scenes that have been seen in Sunderland.

Shortly after 9pm on Friday 2 August they posted: "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."

Northumbria Police's Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth, posted a statement on social media, saying she is "absolutely appalled" by the events on Wearside.

Her post on Instagram added: "It's absolutely right that those responsible for this criminal activity face the full force of the law. Using the pretence of speaking for the grieving families in Southport is sickening, and doesn't mask the criminality of these shameful behaviours.

"Let's be absolutely clear, violence and disorder do not represent Sunderland or belong in our communities and never will."

Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson described the scenes as “criminal thuggery”.

In a post on X, he said: “I am appalled by the disorder in the centre of Sunderland tonight.

“Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble.

“Northumbria Police have my full support as they respond to criminal thuggery and work to protect all the communities of our city.

“Tomorrow the people of Sunderland will come together and continue to build the bright future that we have – a future where every community of our city feels safe and prospers.”

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