Where have UK riots broken out after Southport stabbings?

Yahoo News looks at which towns and cities have seen violent disruption over the last week.

WALTHAMSTOW, ENGLAND - AUGUST 7: Anti-racism counter protesters gathered ahead of a potential anti-immigration protest on August 7, 2024 in Walthamstow, United Kingdom. A series of anti-immigrant protests and riots have swept the country in the week after a deadly knife attack in Southport, England, fuelled by false rumours that the suspect was an asylum seeker. In recent days, far-right groups on social media have circulated a list of more than 30 anti-immigration protests scheduled for tonight at asylum centres and immigration firms across the UK. It was unclear how many locations would attract sizeable crowds; in many locations, the group
Walthamstow, in East London, saw one of the biggest counter protests. (Getty Images)

Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his message that police should remain on “high alert” going into the weekend as unrest that started last week appeared to have eased.

During a visit to Scotland Yard on Friday, the prime minister told broadcasters: “My message to the police and all of those that are charged with responding to disorder is maintain that high alert."

It comes after many planned events failed to materialise on Wednesday night.

At least a dozen people were jailed on Thursday for their part in the riots of the past 10 days, with more expected to be sent to prison on Friday.

The violence came in the wake of the Southport stabbings. Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Soon after his arrest, misinformation circulated that he was an illegal immigrant who had crossed the Channel on a small boat, leading to far-right riots in Southport and beyond.

Outbreaks of violence since Southport stabbings. (PA)
Outbreaks of violence since Southport stabbings. (PA)

Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down which towns and cities have seen violent disruption, amid fears of further far-right protests.

Northampton

According to Northamptonshire Police, three people were arrested on Wednesday for public order offences in Northampton. No members of the public or police were injured following a gathering of about 150 counter-protesters.

Plymouth

Some 150 officers were deployed in Plymouth city centre on Monday, where "large masonry", bricks and fireworks were launched towards them. A police van was damaged in the city as masked anti-immigration protesters launched missiles at a counter-demonstration where people held signs saying “No Place for Hate” and “Say No to Nazis”.

PLYMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 05:Police officers detain some far-right protesters after they tried to cross to the side of the opposing group in Plymouth, United Kingdom on August 05, 2024. (Photo by Behlul Cetinkaya/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Police made six arrests in Plymouth on Monday night. (Getty)

Birmingham

Sky News reported on Monday that one of its vans was attacked in Birmingham by a “knife-wielding man”.

The news outlet said its journalists had observed “a large gathering of Muslim men" who said they were preparing to "defend" the street from another rumoured far-right protest in the area.

Bordesely Green, Birmingham 5th August 2024 - Hundreds of people came out to protect local shops and a mosque (Village Islamic Centre) after rumours members of the EDL and other protestors were coming to the area. Shops shut and a local hospital sent staff home as expected violence was threatened. However due to the comunities response, no patriots arrived and the peaceful protests prevailed. ENDS - Credit Stop Press Media/Alamy Live News
Hundreds of people came out to protect shops and a mosque in Birmingham after rumours members of the EDL were coming to the area, but the threat did not materialise. (Alamy)

West Midlands Police said it was investigating reports of a man who was in possession of an offensive weapon, as well as other incidents and pledged to “work hard to identify and arrest those responsible”.

Darlington

One person was arrested after bricks were thrown at police during violent disorder in Darlington on Monday evening, according to Durham Police.

The force said dozens of police officers were deployed to the North Lodge Park area after two large groups of men gathered shortly after 9pm. It said this resulted in “small pockets of serious violence, which saw bricks being thrown at police officers who attended the scene”.

Rotherham

The Home Office's warnings against would-be rioters appeared to fall on deaf ears in Rotherham, where an estimated 750 demonstrators targeted a Holiday Inn Express believed to be housing asylum seekers in the town on Sunday.

Objects including pieces of wood and chairs were thrown at the hotel and police officers who were lined up in front of the building. At least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away by colleagues.

A fire is extinguished by police officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday. (PA)
A fire is extinguished by police officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday. (PA)

Rioters, many wearing masks and face coverings, blockaded the exit with bins as they tried to set the building on fire. Images from the scene show police officers using an extinguisher to put out a fire by a doorway at the South Yorkshire hotel site.

Middlesbrough

Cleveland Police said “a number of arrests” have been made since the violence started in Middlesbrough at around 2pm on Sunday.

Crowds in the town pushed burning wheelie bins at a line of police officers with shields, leaving the road strewn with smoking rubbish. A car was also set on fire.

A car burns during an anti-immigration protest in Middlesbrough. Picture date: Sunday August 4, 2024.
A car burns during an anti-immigration riot in Middlesbrough. (PA)

Tamworth

On Sunday evening, rioters gathered at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth, where asylum seekers were rumoured to be housed. According to Staffordshire Police, which had previously responded to unrest in Stoke-on-Trent the day before, rioters threw petrol bombs and fireworks, smashed windows, started fires and targeted officers.

No one inside the hotel was injured, but the force said an officer outside had suffered a suspected broken arm.

On Wednesday, a 16-year-old boy from Tamworth was charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker. Two men were also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and another on suspicion of criminal damage.

Sheffield

A small group of far-right rioters were faced by a significantly higher turnout of counter-demonstrators in Barker’s Pool square on Sunday.

Curtis Coulson, 30, sobbed on Monday as he sat in the dock and denied affray at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. The alleged offence relates to an incident outside Sheffield City Hall in which he is alleged to have swung a stick at a woman. Coulson was refused bail and will go on trial at the same court in September.

Belfast

There were violent scenes at an anti-immigration protest last Saturday, with further disorder across Belfast during evenings since then, and 10 police officers injured.

Police responded to several race-related hate crime incidents and other disorder on Thursday night.

Twenty-three arrests have been made and 15 people charged.

Nottingham

Members of the far-right and counter-protesters clashed in Nottingham city centre on Saturday, with police officers forming a line to keep the two groups apart.

The Nottingham Post reported both sides lobbed objects at each other, but disorder appeared to be less severe compared to many other UK cities.

Bolton

Police, some mounted on horses, tried to keep apart far-right groups and counter-protesters on Sunday.

An “Enough is Enough: Stand up for Country” rally around the town hall in Victoria Square descended into chaos when a group of counter-demonstrators, many of whom had their faces covered, charged towards the crowd.

Weymouth

Two police officers were injured during a protest and counter-demonstration in Weymouth on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said there had been "rumours circulating that asylum seekers currently housed on the Bibby Stockholm would be moved to Portland, Weymouth or the wider Dorset Council area".

He added: "In addition, there are no asylum seekers housed in hotels in the Weymouth area".

Stoke-on-Trent

Several arrests have been made following disorder in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday, with offences including assaulting an emergency worker, violent disorder and racially and or religiously aggravated harassment.

Three police officers were assaulted during the clashes but only received minor injuries. In a statement, Staffordshire Police said it was trying to "dispel false claims" that two men had been stabbed during the disorder.

It said videos shared on social media sites showing a man being treated for a head injury had "fuelled the speculation".

"We would like to reiterate that two men involved in the incident were hit with a blunt object that was thrown in the air. No stabbings have been reported to police."

Bristol

A “small but violent” group brought “unacceptable disorder and violence to the streets of Bristol" on Saturday night, Avon and Somerset Police commissioner Clare Moody said.

Bristol, UK. 3rd Aug 2024. A large Police operation is under way in Bristol as Stop the Boats and Refugees are welcome protestors meet up in Bristol City Centre. Credit: JMF News/Alamy Live News
Police in Bristol city centre on Saturday evening. (Alamy)

Several fights broke out between officers and rioters, while bottles were thrown and windows were smashed, the BBC reported.

On Wednesday, thousands of counter protestors filled the streets in response to reports of plans for further demonstrations by the far-right.

Hull

Hundreds of people filled the streets of Hull on Saturday night as demonstrations turned violent and saw a number of businesses damaged.

A Shoezone store was set on fire, along with a commercial property and a number of cars and bins, the Hull Daily Mail reported, while 10 officers suffered injuries.

A doctor at Hull Royal Infirmary told the paper how colleagues couldn't get home, or to work, due to the disruption outside, while all trains in and out of the city were cancelled.

Liverpool

A group of around 750 far-right demonstrators gathered on Saturday, while a counter-protest group of around the same number showed up soon after.

Merseyside Police said objects were thrown at officers and their vehicles, as the groups began to move towards The Strand and Church Street.

A number of people set off fire extinguishers and threw various items including bricks and bottles at officers. An officer on a police motorbike was pushed from his bike and assaulted. A kiosk in Liverpool One and a phone shop on Church Street were damaged, broken into and looted.

Liverpool's Spellow Lane library was set on fire amid the riots. Sharing a picture of the destruction on social media, academic Carl Hendrick asked: "What could be more 'patriotic' than destroying a centre which serves the local community?"

Blackpool

Nearly 1,000 people were involved in disorder in Blackpool on Saturday as far-right groups clashed with counter-protesters attending the Rebellion punk festival in the seaside resort on Saturday.

Chairs and planks of wood were thrown, with a man outside St John’s Church requiring medical attention after falling to the ground after bottles smashed against the church walls, the BBC reported.

Sunderland

Three police officers were taken to hospital with injuries after violent clashes in Sunderland on Friday night.

Hundreds of people gathered in the city centre, with riot police pelted with stones and beer cans outside a mosque. A car was overturned and set alight, while a building next to the police station was also set ablaze.

On Saturday, a number of warrants were carried out in Sunderland city centre and an address in the Ford Estate area of the city. A total of 12 people have been arrested for offences relating to violent disorder, and burglary.

Seven men have been charged after violent disorder broke out in Hartlepool on 31 July with glass bottles and eggs thrown at police by rioters.

An 11-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson after a police vehicle was set alight.

Several officers suffered minor injuries responding to the disorder, Cleveland Police said.

A riot took place outside the Potters International Hotel on 31 July, with around 200 of the people who gathered outside the hotel throwing objects and shouting racial abuse.

One officer was injured in the incident, with police appealing for help to find those who were involved.

On Saturday, Hampshire Constabulary said five men had been arrested on suspicion of affray and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to stir up racial hatred. They have all been bailed while investigations continue.

More than 100 people were arrested in London on 31 July, after crowds gathered in Whitehall and threw bottles and cans at riot police.

Flares were also hurled towards the gates of Downing Street and chanted “you’re not English any more” at police, as well as Islamophobic comments. Bottles and cans were thrown at police in riot gear who were holding off the crowds.

On Wednesday, thousands took to the streets in Walthamstow and Finchley to counter-protest expected demonstrations by the far-right.

In Manchester, people threw rocks at riot police on 31 July as crowds spilled onto Oldham Road, where passersby also had bottles thrown at them.

The violence escalated after a group gathered outside a Holiday Inn hotel, which was targeted by far-right groups because it is providing accommodation to asylum seekers. People reportedly shouted "we want our country back" and "shame on you" outside the hotel.

Manchester, 3 August 2024. A man is detained during far-right protests in Manchester. The demonstration comes as 30 other cities around the UK face similar protests, including Liverpool, Bristol, Hull, and more. Credit: Benjamin Wareing/Alamy Live News
A man is detained during far-right protests in Manchester. Credit: Benjamin Wareing/Alamy Live News

Seven people have been charged with possession of a weapon, including two 16-year-olds, while one person was charged with assault.

Southport

On 30 July, violence broke out in Southport as people linked to far-right groups descended on the town following the stabbings.

Merseyside chief constable Serena Kennedy said the 200-plus rioters were in Southport for "purely for hooliganism and thuggery", in a riot that left 53 police officers and three police dogs injured as thugs threw bricks and bottles at officers and destroyed cars and property.

Crowds gathered around Southport mosque, leaving those inside terrified as the building was pelted with missiles. The morning after the riots, local people came together to clean up the streets and rebuild the mosque wall following the vandalism.