On 3rd August, anti-immigrant protests erupted across the United Kingdom after the stabbing incident at a dance class where three female children lost their lives and several others were injured.
Dozens of protests have been taking place across the country and law enforcement agencies are facing difficulties in controlling the protesters. Initially, far-right groups protested against the immigrants which led to protests by left-leaning groups to take on the roads.
The groups clashed at several places leading to law and order issues. According to an Associated Press report, several police officials were injured during the protests.
Crazy scenes in Belfast, Northern Ireland right now at the protest against mass-migration.
— Expordia | Global Breaking News (@expordia) August 3, 2024
British and Irish nationalists standing together on one side with British and Irish flags.
Left-wing counter protesters with Palestinian and Antifa flags on the other #Ireland #UK pic.twitter.com/axUG49IfE0
According to a video shared by Expordia, the protests have reached Belfast Ireland. The post on X read, “Crazy scenes in Belfast, Northern Ireland right now at the protest against mass-migration. British and Irish nationalists standing together on one side with British and Irish flags. Left-wing counter protesters with Palestinian and Antifa flags on the other.”
AP quoted Merseyside police saying that several police officers were injured in the centre of Liverpool, 20 miles away from the dance centre where the stabbing incident took place in the seaside town of Southport in the northwest of England. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said, “Let’s call this out for what it is — mindless thuggery by people looking for an excuse to spew hatred and carry out acts of violence.”
On the other hand, Humberside police said in a statement that three officers got injured and four people were arrested during the anti-immigrants protests in the city of Hull in the northeast of England. Protesters also smashed the windows of a hotel in Hull that used to house immigrants.
In Bristol, several arrests were made. Notably, Bristol is known as the left-wing city of the UK. During the protests, right-wing protesters were heavily outnumbered by the left-wing protesters. Avon and Somerset Police, which oversees the city said, “Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it.”
ENGLAND – WALES Planned Riots
— MəanL¡LMə♡₩ (@MeanLILMeoW) August 2, 2024
■ 35 planned Anti Migrant Rallies planned and 25 Anti Hate rallies are planned – in midst of this social media is being used to draw out the youth for "flash parties" sort of like the the street takeovers USA is dealing with! You'll notice the… pic.twitter.com/7TlF943Pwr
There were rumours that the suspect was identified as an immigrant Muslim. The suspect is a minor and generally, names of minor suspects are not released to the public in the UK. However, Judge Andrew Menary took an exception and let the suspect be identified as Axel Rudakubana, a resident of Wales to Rwandan parents to stop the spread of misinformation.
In a press conference in Sunderland, Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall called the protests unforgivable where four police officers were reportedly injured. He said, “During the evening, our officers were met with serious and sustained levels of violence. Make no mistake, if you were involved last night, expect to be met with the full force of the law.”
Notably, online campaigns to gather support for the anti-immigrants protests have also raised alarms among law enforcement agencies. Phrases including “Enough are enough”, “save our kids” and “Stop the boats” have been identified by police officials as part of the campaigns.
ENGLAND – Liverpool – Sunderland-
— MəanL¡LMə♡₩ (@MeanLILMeoW) August 3, 2024
RIOTS AND PEACEFUL PROTESTS ON GOING – It's all across UK as lots of planned and UNPLANNED events going on!!!
We got regular civilians,Antifa,Youth,Muslims,Africans,migrants,homeless,Agitators in general are on the streets – it's 540ish in UK… https://t.co/EFrXFINaWj pic.twitter.com/JuQKOaganJ
CNN report suggested that dozens of the protesters have been arrested by the police for unruly behaviour across UK cities. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met called a meeting with the senior ministers on 3rd August to discuss the protests. The PM said, “The police had full support from the government to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.”
A spokesperson from his office said, “The Prime Minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities. The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.”
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also denounced the violence during the protests and warned that “thuggery” would not be tolerated. “Anyone who gets involved in criminal disorder, violent thuggery on our streets, will have to pay the price. And they should expect there to be arrests, prosecutions, penalties, and the full force of the law including imprisonment, travel bans and more,” she said.
Criminal violence and thuggery on our streets will not be tolerated.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) August 3, 2024
Police forces have my full support in ensuring that those who engage in criminal disorder face the strongest possible penalties. pic.twitter.com/ZqoOHVXnVR
On 29th July, three young girls ages 6, 7 and 9 were killed in a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga class in northwestern England. Two of the girls lost their lives on the day of the incident while the third girl died the next day. Eight children and two adults were hospitalised after the attack. 17-year-old suspect was arrested by the police for murder and attempted murder. Witnesses described the scene as “from a horror movie” as bloddied children ran from the attack to save themselves.
