Seventh Day of Disorder Follows Southport Stabbings: Over 370 Arrests Made.
As disorder continues for the seventh day after the Southport stabbings, Devon and Cornwall police have reported over 370 arrests. On Monday, police in Plymouth made six additional arrests following incidents of “sustained violence.” Several officers sustained minor injuries, and two civilians were hospitalized after bricks and fireworks were hurled at them during rival demonstrations in the Devon port city.
Anti-immigration protesters, masked and aggressive, targeted a counter-demonstration where participants held signs reading “No Place for Hate” and “Say No to Nazis.” A police van was damaged, and officers faced attacks involving “large masonry,” according to a Devon and Cornwall police representative. Inspector Ryan North Moore described the situation as “sustained violence,” stating, “This is not a protest any more. This is violence.”
Police Response and Community Impact
Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell praised the “very brave, robust policing” in response to what he described as “abhorrent, mindless criminal behaviour.” Approximately 150 officers were deployed to the city center, managing a variety of public order offenses and assaults.
In Southport, a peaceful vigil was held to remember the victims of the stabbing attack a week earlier. Children blew bubbles and others left flowers and heart-shaped balloons in tribute to Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
Merseyside police reported that one child involved in the attack remains hospitalized, but all other patients have been discharged.
Further Incidents and Responses
In Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland is dealing with ongoing disorder in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast. Riot officers have faced stones and petrol bombs, according to BBC reports. Additionally, Sky News reported an attack on one of its vans in Birmingham by a man wielding a knife. The gathering observed by Sky News involved Muslim men preparing to “defend” their street from a rumored far-right protest, which did not materialize.
West Midlands police are investigating reports of offensive weapons and other incidents, including damage to property. No arrests have been made yet, but investigations are ongoing into several disturbances and criminal damages.
Government Actions and Reactions
On Monday, the Prime Minister announced the formation of a “standing army” of specialist police officers to tackle the ongoing rioting, calling for those responsible to be identified and held accountable. Keir Starmer pledged to strengthen the criminal justice system following an emergency Cobra meeting prompted by the weekend’s unrest, which included attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers.
The new standing army is an extension of the mutual aid scheme, enabling officers to be deployed across the country as needed. Despite calls for Parliament to return from its summer recess, Starmer focused on supporting police operations rather than recalling Parliament.
