Protests erupt in Sunderland, mosques increase security as tensions rise across northern England

Protests erupted in Sunderland on Friday night as anti-immigrant demonstrators clashed with police, marking a troubling spread of violence in northern England following the recent killing of three children in Southport. Demonstrators targeted law enforcement and set fires, escalating tensions that had been simmering since Monday’s tragic events.

According to reports from the BBC, protesters threw stones at police officers equipped with riot gear near a mosque in Sunderland. The unrest quickly intensified, with vehicles overturned and a car set on fire. A blaze was also started near a police station, further exacerbating the chaos in the city.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron condemned the violence, stating, "The safety of the public is our utmost priority, and when we became aware of the planned protest, we ensured an increased policing presence in the city." She described the violence faced by officers as "serious and sustained," labelling it "utterly deplorable."

During the clashes, three police officers were injured and required hospital treatment. So far, eight arrests have been made for offences, including violent disorder and burglary.

The Sunderland demonstration was one of over a dozen organised by anti-immigration protesters across the UK, with protests planned near mosques in Liverpool, which is close to Southport. In response, several anti-racism counter-protests were also organised.

British police ramped up their presence nationwide on Friday, and mosques heightened security measures. The protests come in the wake of a violent crime in Southport, where a 17-year-old boy was charged with the murder of three girls during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop. This shocking incident has left the nation reeling.

In the days following the attack, violence flared up in Southport, Hartlepool, and London, fuelled by false social media claims that the suspect was a Islamist migrant.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Southport for the second time since the murders, expressing solidarity with the community. "As a nation, we stand with those who have lost loved ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which has torn through the very fabric of this community and left us all in shock," he said.

In response to the unrest, British police chiefs have committed to deploying additional officers nationwide over the weekend to prevent further violence. Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, told BBC Radio that there would be "surge capacity" in intelligence and resources in local communities. He also assured that additional prosecutors would be available to expedite legal proceedings and deliver swift justice.

The Muslim Council of Britain reported that mosques across the country were on high alert, with increased security measures implemented. Zara Mohammed, the council’s secretary general, confirmed that representatives from numerous mosques had gathered for a briefing on Thursday, where concerns were raised over threatening and abusive phone calls received by many worshippers. "There's a sense within the community that we will not be intimidated, but we will remain vigilant and cautious," Mohammed stated.

In Southport, where protests had turned violent earlier in the week, police announced that they had "extensive plans and considerable police resources" ready to handle any potential disturbances. Similarly, police in Northern Ireland prepared for a "proportionate policing response" following news of planned protests and marches to an Islamic Centre in Belfast over the weekend.