There have been several protests occurring across the UK following the murder of three young girls at a children’s dance workshop in Southport. Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event on Hart Street, on Monday. An emotional vigil was held the day after the attack; however, this was followed by violent scenes near by when 39 police officers were injured, eight seriously in clashes with rioters. Some of the crowd threw missiles targeted at the police and a local mosque in an effort to get revenge for the attack.
There have been claims from Merseyside Police that supporters of the English Defence League were behind many of the attacks. The Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss described the attack as sickening and also stated that it bore no resemblance to a community coming together following a major attack in which people had had their loved ones killed in a violent attack.
Bebe’s family said “no words” could describe the “devastation that has hit our family”, while Alice’s parents said she would always be “our princess and no-one would change that”.
In a tribute from her “Hero Daddy and Mummy”, Alice’s parents said: “Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess.”
Elsie was described by a teacher at her primary school as “loving and bright” and a “caring and charismatic young lady”.
Praise has been heaped on to yoga teacher Leanne Lucas who is currently in hospital and it is understood that she is the person who was running the dance school and tried to rush to support and protect the young girls who were being attacked.
“Your bravery has touched the heart of the nation, we are all praying for you and the families affected,” one Instagram user said.
“Thoughts and prayers are with you Leanne, keep fighting,” another wrote.
Following the main attack there have been several protests around the country including ones in Sunderland as well as Manchester. There were groups of people shouting slogans such as “Stop the Boats as well as giving out anti-immigration messages. The demonstrations were mainly between racist groups as well as those who were trying to defend the local community.
There has been a mass demonstration in Liverpool today where members of both sides met in Liverpool’s George Parade.
Merseyside Police have given its officers greater stop and search powers across Liverpool city centre and two other neighbourhoods in order to deter disorder.
The powers – known as a section 60 order – allow officers to search anyone in a given area without needing reasonable grounds to do so if they believe serious violence is possible.
The order, in place until midnight, also covers Toxteth and Kensington.
Superintendent Dawn McNally said: “People and business owners in the Liverpool area will see a highly visible police presence today.
“I hope their continued presence is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to our officers.”
In Hull, protesters gathered outside a hotel which has been used to house asylum seekers.
We’ve seen the crowd throwing concrete bricks and smashing windows with glass bottles, shouting “get them out”.
In most cities, we haven’t seen any major trouble. Police have kept the groups separate, and some places the demonstrations have dispersed.
But we have seen isolated incidents of protesters throwing objects, including bottles.
In Hull, protesters have smashed a window at a hotel that has been used to house asylum seekers. In Manchester, we’ve seen scuffles with police, and at least one arrest. And in Belfast, protesters outside a mosque have thrown objects at members of the media, and earlier they smashed windows in a cafe.
