Prime Minister Starmer Convenes Emergency Police Summit Amid Nationwide Protests and Violence Post-Southport Stabbings

Starmer to consult with police leaders following additional unrest triggered by Southport stabbings

Over 100 individuals were detained in London amid demonstrations that saw projectiles hurled at law enforcement, accompanied by escalating disturbances in Hartlepool and Manchester.

Political journalist @alixculbertson

Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 12

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Sir Keir Starmer is convening an urgent session with top police officials in response to the violent demonstrations that erupted after the stabbings in Southport.

The prime minister has pledged full government support for emergency responders after incidents of violence erupted in Southport, London, Hartlepool, and Manchester recently.

Sir Keir is scheduled to meet with top police officials at Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, where he will likely commend their courage in handling the recent stabbings and protests.

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He will affirm that the right to peaceful protest "needs to be safeguarded at all costs" but will urge them to employ their authority to "halt senseless violence immediately and ensure that justice prevails."

The Metropolitan Police reported that on Wednesday night, 111 individuals were detained in London following incidents where flares were hurled at the gates of Downing Street. Additionally, some individuals threw cans and glass bottles while riot police were being deployed.

Protesters clad in England flags displayed signs that read "Stop the boats" following incorrect claims on social media that the murder of three young girls in Southport, close to Liverpool, was perpetrated by a Muslim asylum seeker.

The crowd was heard shouting "We want our country back" and "Oh Tommy Robinson", echoing the sentiments linked to the right-wing activist.

A man sported a shirt emblazoned with the words: "Nigel Farage for Prime Minister, Tommy Robinson for Home Secretary."

Several officers suffered minor injuries and individuals apprehended faced charges such as violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker, and violating protest regulations, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Stay updated on the most recent developments in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Discover further details: A teenager faces charges for the murder of three young women. Communities raise half a million pounds for Southport families. Farage criticized as 'Tommy Robinson in a suit.'

In Hartlepool, authorities detained eight individuals on multiple charges, anticipating further arrests, following an incident where demonstrators hurled projectiles, including glass bottles and eggs, at police officers.

Multiple police officers suffered light injuries and a patrol vehicle was torched.

On Oldham Road in Manchester, law enforcement broke up a demonstration following incidents where police officers and bystanders were pelted with beer bottles.

According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, several individuals were observed leaping into a bus's route, damaging its side mirror, and attacking one of the riders.

Despite appearing to avoid the unrest, Aldershot in Hampshire saw riot police sent in response to a demonstration.

Demonstrations began Tuesday evening near a mosque in Southport, where protestors clashed with police and ignited a police vehicle.

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On Wednesday evening, authorities charged a 17-year-old male with the killing of three girls in Southport, along with the attempted killing of 10 additional individuals and carrying a knife.

The individual in question, originating from the neighboring village of Banks and a native of Cardiff, Wales, had previously been unnamed due to being underage. However, on Thursday, the judge ruled that he could be identified as Axel Rudakubana.

He is scheduled to make an appearance at Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar tragically lost their lives in an incident at The Hart Space community center.

Eight other children sustained injuries from stabbing, with five having stabilized after initially being in critical condition and two have been released from the hospital. Two adults are still in critical condition.

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