Southport/London: A 17-year-old male, currently in custody, has been charged with murder following the tragic deaths of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, UK police announced on Wednesday. The attack, which occurred at a summer vacation event for children, has sparked widespread demonstrations in London, with some protestors expressing anti-immigrant sentiments.
The accused, who will remain in custody, is scheduled to appear before Liverpool Magistrates Court on Thursday. He was apprehended on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the brutal incident on Monday at a “Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop” for children aged 6 to 11. The victims, all girls aged between 6 and 9, were fatally attacked.
Due to legal restrictions on naming minors, the suspect’s identity cannot be disclosed. Police clarified that the attack was not terrorism-related and that the suspect is a British-born citizen, countering circulating misinformation about his background.
In Southport, disturbances erupted on Tuesday following false social media claims that the attacker was a radical Islamist migrant. On Wednesday, protests in London saw thousands gathering near Downing Street, chanting slogans such as “Save our kids”, “We want our country back”, and “Stop the boats”. Demonstrators also engaged in football chants.
Police have reported that over 100 people were arrested in connection with the London protests, facing charges ranging from violent disorder to assaulting emergency workers and breaching protest conditions. The situation in Southport remains tense, with more than 50 officers injured during clashes on Tuesday night. Police vans were set ablaze, and protesters targeted cars and the town’s mosque with bricks, bottles, and fireworks.
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, reassured the Southport community, stating that extensive plans are in place to manage further potential unrest. The attack in the typically quiet northwest town also left eight other children injured, with five in critical condition, alongside two adults who tried to intervene.
Despite police statements refuting claims about the suspect’s origin, the violence continued, primarily fueled by what authorities believe to be right-wing, anti-Islam, and anti-immigration groups. Local officials and politicians condemned the violence, emphasizing that it detracted from a large vigil held in tribute to the victims.
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Police reported 53 officers were injured, with eight needing hospital treatment for serious injuries, including fractures and head wounds. Additionally, three police dogs were hurt. The violence, described by the police chief as “disgusting and appalling”, has led to the arrest of four men aged between 31 and 39, with efforts ongoing to identify others involved.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “violent thugs” responsible and assured that they would “feel the full force of the law.”
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In the aftermath, Southport’s streets were littered with debris from broken walls, smashed bottles, and burned-out police vehicles. Local resident David Burgess expressed his dismay, stating, “What I saw last night was absolutely appalling… It was devastating and it’s kind of taken away from actually what’s gone on, which is the tragedy of those deaths.”
In a gesture of solidarity, Taylor Swift fans have raised over £270,000 ($346,000) to support the victims’ families and the hospital treating the injured children.
