UK: Riot Police Deployed Amid Nationwide Protests After Violent Night in Sunderland
Riot police have been deployed as planned protests have begun across Britain, following a night of severe violence in Sunderland. Far-right groups have drawn condemnation from MPs for disorder in London, Manchester, Southport, and Hartlepool over the past three days. In Sunderland on Friday, a police station was set on fire, and social media photos showed damage to a Citizens Advice Bureau office. A priest reported yobs trying to smash a gravestone for use as missiles, calling it an “act of sacrilege.”
The riots were sparked by the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Merseyside on Monday. Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, has been accused of the attack, but false claims online suggested the suspect was an asylum seeker.
Greater Manchester Police issued a dispersal notice for the city centre to manage planned demonstrations on Saturday. In Belfast, anti-Islamic protesters gathered at City Hall, leading to tense exchanges and police intervention. In Leeds, around 150 people carrying St George’s flags clashed with hundreds of counter-protesters.
Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson linked the disorder in his constituency to far-right groups, including a Nazi offshoot of the English Defence League (EDL). Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall reported four officers injured and 10 arrests, stating those involved would face the full force of the law.
Qari Asim, Chairman of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, expressed concern about the intimidation and violence against the Muslim community, attributing it to rising Islamophobia. Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick and contender Priti Patel condemned the far-right’s involvement and called for stronger actions.
The unrest followed protests suggested on social media after the Southport stabbings. Atkinson noted that far-right figures like Stephen Yaxley Lennon had promoted these protests. Authorities plan to deploy an extra 70 prosecutors to handle potential violent disorder during the upcoming demonstrations.
The protests and violence pose a significant challenge for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, drawing comparisons to the 2011 riots. Starmer announced a new national response linking police forces through shared intelligence and facial recognition.
In Sunderland, hundreds gathered in Keel Square, some showing support for Tommy Robinson. Videos on social media showed a fire at a city centre police office and a man with a swastika tattoo. Northumbria Police reported serious violence against officers, with three hospitalized.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson condemned the violence, calling for those responsible to be prosecuted. Rudakubana faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a knife and is remanded to youth detention, with a court appearance set for October.
