Merseyside Police said the crowd was believed to be supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right group, and the unrest was inspired by speculation about the teenage boy arrested in the stabbing that injured 10 other people, including seven who were in critical condition.
“There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets,” Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said.
“We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.”
Shortly after a peaceful vigil was attended by hundreds in the centre of Southport to mourn the stabbing victims, the crowd near the mosque became unruly. A police van was set ablaze and sent thick dark smoke billowing into the sky. One officer suffered a broken nose.
Officers in riot gear policed the area amid chants of “No surrender!” and “English till I die!” Firecrackers exploded, sirens wailed and helicopter hovered overhead amid the chaos. Some officers appeared to have minor injuries.
A day earlier, the girls killed had taken part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on the first week of summer vacation when a person armed with a knife entered the studio and began a vicious attack, police said.
“It’s difficult to comprehend or put into words the horror of what happened,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said while briefing members of Parliament.
“What should have been a joyful start to the summer turned into an unspeakable tragedy.”
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, died from their injuries, police said.
“Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our princess,” Aguiar’s parents said in a statement released by police. “Like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that.”
King’s family said no words could describe their devastation at the loss “of our little girl Bebe.”
Eight children and two adults remained hospitalized after the attack in Southport. Both adults and five of the children were in critical condition.
People left flowers and stuffed animals in tribute at a police cordon on the street lined with brick houses in the seaside resort near Liverpool where the beach and pier attract vacationers from across northwest England.
They also posted online messages of support for teacher Leanne Lucas, the organiser of the event, who was one of those attacked.
Witnesses described scenes “from a horror movie” as bloodied children ran from the attack just before noon Monday. The 17-year-old suspect was arrested soon afterward on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Police said he was born in Cardiff, Wales, and had lived for years in a village about 5km from Southport. He has not yet been charged.
The rampage is the latest shocking attack in a country where a recent rise in knife crime has stoked anxieties and led to calls for the government to do more to clamp down on bladed weapons, which are by far the most commonly used instruments in UK homicides.
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