王曼昱太能护了 | 8k8 free 88 | Updated: 2024-08-17 04:02:08
LIVERPOOL/BELFAST — Violent disorder swept across several cities in the UK on Saturday, injuring police and damaging property in the country's most widespread rioting in the past 13 years, following the murder of three girls in northwestern England.
Riots involving hundreds of anti-immigration protesters have erupted in towns and cities after false information spread rapidly on social media that the suspect in the July 29 knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport was a radical Muslim migrant.
Police have said the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, who turns 18 on Wednesday, was born in Britain but protests by anti-immigration and anti-Muslim demonstrators have continued, descending into violence, arson and looting.
Violent disorder erupted in Liverpool, Bristol, Hull and Belfast — four cities located in different corners of the United Kingdom — with scuffles breaking out and bricks and bottles thrown as anti-immigration protesters faced anti-racism groups.
Many police officers suffered injuries as they tried to keep several hundred rival protesters from clashing.
In Liverpool, two officers were taken to hospital with suspected facial fractures, while another was pushed from his motorbike and assaulted in the disorder involving some 750 protesters and a similar number of rival protesters, according to Merseyside Police, the force overseeing the northwestern city.
Vandalized shops
At least two shops in Liverpool were vandalized and looted, police added.
In Belfast, some businesses reported damage to property while at least one was set on fire, according to police.
"I have no reason why they attacked us," said Rahmi Akyol, standing outside the shattered glass doors of his cafe in Belfast, which he said was attacked by dozens of people with bottles and chairs. "I've lived here 35 years. My kids, my wife are from here. I don't know what to say. It's terrible."
Across Britain, police have arrested dozens of individuals for offenses ranging from violent disorder to burglary and criminal damage.
Extra police have been deployed across cities while mosques across the country have been advised to strengthen security following an attack on a mosque in Southport on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing his first big test since his election a month ago, has condemned the "far right" for the wave of violence and backed police to take strong action. He discussed the disorder with senior ministers on Saturday, his office said.
Further gatherings were scheduled for Sunday and police will continue to mount a significant security operation, deploying thousands more officers onto the streets, many in riot gear.
Agencies via Xinhua