Dozens arrested after violent demonstrations across England and Northern Ireland
Dozens of people have been arrested following more riots in cities including London, Manchester, Hull and Belfast
Last updated 4th Aug 2024
Police across the country are condemning violence and disorder following riots sparked by the fatal stabbings of three girls in Southport on Monday.
Dozens of people have been arrested, and police are warning that further violence is likely to come over the coming days.
Liverpool
In Liverpool City Centre, Merseyside Police have confirmed 11 people have been arrested in connection with disorder - after a group of around 750 people came together at Pier Head yesterday afternoon.
Officers then closed The Stand to the public for their safety, when a number of people set off fire extinguishers and threw various items including bricks and bottles at officers.
They have confirmed that an officer on a police motorbike in the city was pushed from his bike and assaulted.
There was also a blaze at a library building in the city - with around 300 people coming together in Walton in an incident police say saw them 'intent on committing serious violence and disorder'.
We now know that The Spellow Lane Library Hub, which was opened last year to provide a much needed on stop shop for one of the most deprived communities in the country, has suffered severe damage to the ground floor.
Those demonstrating tried to stop firefighters from putting out the blaze - with a number of people even throwing a missile at the fire engine and broke the rear window of the cab.
Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims, who led today’s policing operation, said: “The behaviour we have seen today in Liverpool city centre is completely unacceptable.
“What should have been a sunny Saturday on the historic waterfront to be enjoyed by people of all ages turned into an afternoon of unashamed disorder and violence, which potentially put decent members of the public, including children, at risk.
“We have heard reports of families having to run away from the area, some of whom had brought children to see the Disney Princess cruise ship docked nearby.
“This disorder, violence and destruction has no place here in Merseyside, least of all after the tragic events that took place in Southport on Monday.
“Our priority throughout has been the safety of the public, and officers have put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect the wider community and I am incredibly proud of the bravery, resilience and professionalism they have displayed today.
“Those officers were met with shameful levels of violence and attempts at provocation by a number of those present.
“We can confirm two officers have been taken to hospital, one with a suspected broken nose and another with a suspected broken jaw.
“We have already arrested six people aged between 29 and 58 on suspicion of offences including violent disorder and criminal damage and that number will increase.
Assistant Chief Constable Sims added: “The aggressive and abusive behaviour of large groups today will never be tolerated and is being dealt with robustly.
“Those who engaged in this behaviour bring nothing but shame to themselves and this city. Their behaviour does not represent the good people of Merseyside, and any attempts to drive division amongst our communities in the wake of a heinous tragedy will not succeed.
“I would urge anyone minded to continue to carry out such disorder to think long and hard. We are gathering bodycam, CCTV and camera phone evidence, and anyone involved in today’s disorder can expect to face the full force of the law.”
Police have also imposed a Section 60 dispersal order across the Liverpool Council area until Sunday night.
Chief Inspector Derek Riley said: “The scenes we saw in Liverpool city centre today were despicable. They left two officers requiring hospital treatment and have already led to the arrests of six suspects.
“The extra powers this order will give officers on the ground the ability to stop and search anyone suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality.
“The ultimate aim of this tool is to prevent violence and disorder and keep the public safe.
“People across the city will see targeted and highly visible police patrols over the next 24 hours. I hope their continued presence is reassuring for all of our communities, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to those officers.
“We have deployed Section 60s throughout this week and will continue to deploy them where we believe they can help our efforts to keep people safe.”
Manchester
To Manchester, and we know that extra police powers were also put in place to try and stop the violence escalating last night - where we know that there were clashes with police, and a number of people have also been arrested.
Under this legislation, officers have the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.
Chief Inspector Natasha Evans said: “These powers have been authorised to make sure we can continue to provide and facilitate the right to any peaceful protests that have been organised.
"Our officers will be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing, or very likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to leave an area immediately.
"People have a legal right to participate in peaceful protest, however where people are intent on breaking the law, we will take action.
“Please keep an eye on our social media channels for any further updates around this Section 34 and if you are unsure about anything, do speak to officers on the ground. Any incidents can be reported via 101, our website or 999 in an emergency.”
Bristol
Police in Bristol say they've made "multiple arrests" because of violent disorder in the city centre last night.
Avon and Somerset Police said: "Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it."
There was a large police presence in the centre of Bristol as a protest got under way in Castle Park.
A counter protest organised by those opposed to the far-right was also taking place at the same time.
Both groups were on Victoria Street but divided by the Bristol Bridge and dozens of police officers in riot gear.
Mounted officers were on duty, as were dog handlers.
Sunderland
This weekend's set of protests follow a a night of what's been described a night of 'unforgiveable' violence on Friday in Sunderland.
That's where a Citizens Advice office burned down - and already more than ÂŁ7,000 has been raised in a fundraiser to help them rebuild.
A priest at Sunderland Minster said yobs tried to smash a gravestone to use for missiles during widespread violence in the city, adding that it was "an act of sacrilege".
Read more: Four officers taken to hospital following violent Sunderland protests
Read more: Protests take place across UK following violence in Sunderland
People involved in the clashes 'will pay the price'
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said people involved in the clashes "will pay the price" and that "criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain's streets".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the police have his "full support" to take action against "extremists" attempting to "sow hate" by intimidating communities as he held emergency talks with ministers over the unrest in parts of England.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told ministers "the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible", a Downing Street spokesperson said, which could see courts sitting for 24 hours a day as they did for the 2011 riots, according to one report.
There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said anyone who attacks police "should be ashamed".
She wrote on X: "I cannot thank our local police enough for everything they're doing to keep people safe.
They were among the first on the scene when the horrendous incident unfolded in Southport.
They run into danger to keep us safe, and those who attack them should be ashamed."
Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said "violence is not acceptable".
"Northern Ireland must always be a place that protects the right to protest, the right to have a view and to express it", she posted on X.
"Let's be VERY clear - violence is not acceptable. It never was and it is not now. No one, NO ONE, has the right to express hate and violence. Stop it now."