British police are on high alert for more violence this weekend following a night of rioting by far-right protesters in Sunderland. The clashes, which left four officers hospitalized, included protesters throwing beer barrels, fire extinguishers, and rocks at police. The violence also saw a car set ablaze and a police station attacked. Many of the rioters were not local, raising concerns about organized efforts to incite disorder.
The unrest in Sunderland is part of a broader wave of violence sparked by a stabbing attack in Southport earlier this week. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls, led to the arrest of 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana. Far-right groups have seized on misinformation about Rudakubana’s identity, wrongly suggesting he was a Muslim immigrant, to incite further anger and organize protests.
Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall described the protests as "unforgivable" and confirmed that four officers were injured during the riots. In addition, a mounted police officer sustained serious injuries in an accident. Hall warned that those responsible for the violence would face the full force of the law, emphasizing that the authorities would not tolerate such disorder.
This weekend, more than 20 protests are expected across the UK, including in cities such as Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester. Far-right groups have been mobilizing supporters online with slogans like “enough is enough” and “stop the boats,” while counter-protests organized by groups like Stand Up To Racism are set to address issues of Islamophobia and extremist violence. Police have deployed additional officers and are using surveillance technology to monitor and manage the situation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the violence as a product of "far-right hatred" and has vowed to restore order. He announced that the government would provide more resources to the police and implement a new program to improve intelligence sharing and rapid response to emerging threats. Starmer described the violence as a deliberate and coordinated attempt to destabilize the country.
The stabbing attack in Southport, where Rudakubana has been charged with murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, has shocked the nation. The far-right’s violent response to the attack has heightened tensions and underscored the need for a robust law enforcement response to prevent further escalation.
The unrest in Sunderland is part of a broader wave of violence sparked by a stabbing attack in Southport earlier this week. The attack, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls, led to the arrest of 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana. Far-right groups have seized on misinformation about Rudakubana’s identity, wrongly suggesting he was a Muslim immigrant, to incite further anger and organize protests.
Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall described the protests as "unforgivable" and confirmed that four officers were injured during the riots. In addition, a mounted police officer sustained serious injuries in an accident. Hall warned that those responsible for the violence would face the full force of the law, emphasizing that the authorities would not tolerate such disorder.
This weekend, more than 20 protests are expected across the UK, including in cities such as Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, and Manchester. Far-right groups have been mobilizing supporters online with slogans like “enough is enough” and “stop the boats,” while counter-protests organized by groups like Stand Up To Racism are set to address issues of Islamophobia and extremist violence. Police have deployed additional officers and are using surveillance technology to monitor and manage the situation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the violence as a product of "far-right hatred" and has vowed to restore order. He announced that the government would provide more resources to the police and implement a new program to improve intelligence sharing and rapid response to emerging threats. Starmer described the violence as a deliberate and coordinated attempt to destabilize the country.
The stabbing attack in Southport, where Rudakubana has been charged with murder and multiple counts of attempted murder, has shocked the nation. The far-right’s violent response to the attack has heightened tensions and underscored the need for a robust law enforcement response to prevent further escalation.
