Police van set alight as protest breaks out in Southport

A police van has been set on fire during a protest just hours after a vigil took place following a knife attack in which three children were killed.

The protest, which police said was believed to involve English Defence League supporters, began just a few streets away from the vigil location, near to a mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport.

Merseyside Police said an officer suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles had been damaged and set alight in the disturbances at about 19:45 BST.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives.”

The protest comes after the arrest of a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after a knife attack on Hart Street in the seaside town on Monday.

Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were killed in the stabbing, which occurred at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop aimed at children aged six to 10.

Five other children remain in hospital, as well as two adults in critical condition.

ACC Goss added: “Yesterday, our officers and other members of the emergency services were faced with one of the most difficult situations they will ever face.

“Tonight, they find themselves being attacked as they endeavour to prevent disorder.”

ACC Goss said the protest involved many people “who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside”.

“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,” he added.

Families living nearby told the BBC they feared for their safety as stones flew past and police officers rushed to put on riot gear and pick up shields.

“I can’t believe this is happening in Southport,” one young woman shouted from the front of her car as she tried to drive her young daughter away.

In a statement on X, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was “absolutely appalled by the disgraceful scenes of violence”.

“This is a community which has faced unimaginable tragedy, and it is grieving. Such behaviour is abhorrent and only causes further harm and suffering,” she added.

She said officers were “working around the clock to get justice for the families”.

Ms Spurrell said it was “completely unacceptable that they – and the wider community – are now being put in danger by those who would bring violence and disorder to our streets”.