Right-wing extremists are attacking the police in several British cities. Officers are injured, cars are burning. The authorities are preparing for new riots.
Police have arrested a total of more than 90 people in serious riots by ultranationalists in several British cities. The anti-Muslim riots have been going on for days. The main reason is false reports on social media about the identity of a knife attacker who stabbed three girls and injured several children and two adults, some of them critically, in the north-west English city of Southport on Monday.
Heavy damage
According to police, several officers were injured, shops were looted and cars were set on fire. In Liverpool, a library that serves as a help center for poor people suffered severe fire damage. Rioters tried to prevent the fire-fighting efforts. Merseyside Police arrested a total of 23 people.
In the north-west English city of Blackpool there were clashes between ultranationalists and counter-demonstrators. There, as well as in Preston and Blackburn, Lancashire Police said they arrested 20 people. In Bristol in western England there were 14 arrests, and in Kingston upon Hull in north-east England there were 20. The authorities were preparing for new riots.
A well-known right-wing extremist called for the protests. Critics also accuse the right-wing populist MP Nigel Farage, who once played a key role in promoting Brexit, of participating in the speculation about the Southport massacre and thus fuelling the unrest.
Police have clarified that the 17-year-old suspect, who is in custody, was born in the UK. His parents are from Rwanda. The motive is unclear.
Source: Stern
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