Violent clashes erupted in the northern English town of Southport where a mass stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event left three children dead.
According to an AFP report, around 100 protesters fought with the police and lit fires. Videos on social media showed a police van set on fire and protesters pelting the police with stones and throwing other items at them. A local mosque was the apparent target.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The police haven’t released any information about the suspected attacker, aside from his age and that he is originally from Banks in Lancashire, Wales.
Police said the motive for the attack was "unclear" but it was not being treated as terror-related. They also said a name shared on social media was "incorrect and we would urge people not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing".
An officer of the Merseyside Police suffered from a broken nose in the clashes. The force said officers deployed in the area were “dealing with criminal behaviour and violence with bottles and wheelie bins (trash bins) being thrown at them”.
According to AFP, the protesters were "believed to be supporters" of the Right-wing English Defence League.
The clashes erupted shortly after a vigil in the town centre where hundreds had gathered to pay a silent tribute to the victims. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the many who paid tribute at the site of the attack, which left five children and two adults with critical wounds. Three other children were injured as well.
Laying flowers with hundreds of other wreaths, Starmer thanked emergency workers who responded to the stabbing spree and paid his respects to the family.
Families Mourn Children
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, died on Tuesday in hospital, while Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, died on Monday.
Aguiar was the daughter of Portuguese parents. Portugal communities Minister Jose Cesario told AFP that her parents were “in a state of shock”.
Her family said in a tribute, "Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our princess, like we said before to you, you're always our princess and no one would change that."
Bebe King's family said, "No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as we try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe."
US pop star Swift said she was "completely in shock" over "the loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone".
"These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families," she posted in an Instagram story.
The attacker arrived in a taxi on Monday morning, witnesses claimed, and entered the venue wearing a mask. Soon, armed officers detained the suspect and sized a knife, reported AFP.