British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet with senior police leaders on Thursday following a second night of violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The unrest has been triggered by the deaths of three young girls in a horrific knife attack during a dance class.
The violence erupted after a group of anti-immigration protesters gathered near Downing Street on Wednesday evening, chanting slogans such as “Save our kids” and “We want our country back.” The demonstration followed the brutal stabbing incident on Monday at a “Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop” in Southport, which left over 50 police officers injured during the previous night’s disturbances.
A 17-year-old male has been taken into police custody, facing charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack. The event, which was part of a summer vacation program for children aged 6 to 11, has sparked widespread outrage and led to a surge of misinformation on social media.
The protests have been fueled by false claims that the suspect is a radical Islamist migrant. However, authorities have confirmed that the individual, who is British-born, is not linked to terrorism. Despite legal restrictions on disclosing details about the suspect, police have been working to clarify the situation and address public concerns.
Starmer’s office has announced that the Prime Minister will meet with police leaders to offer the government’s full support in the wake of the recent violence and disorder. A spokesperson emphasized that while the right to peaceful protest is crucial, those who exploit this right to incite hatred and violence will be held accountable.
“The Prime Minister will make it clear that while the right to peaceful protest must be protected, those who use that right to engage in criminal activities will face the full force of the law,” the spokesperson added.
Sources By Agencies
