Axel Rudakubana UK Children Murder Suspect Named
Axel Rudakubana UK Children Murder Suspect Named
Community in mourning after three girls killed in knife attack
Teen 17 accused of Southport UK Murders BBC
Two of the INL News Group's historical website INJLNews.com and AWN.bz which were established in 2008 are now heading to becoming top ranking websites in the USA
https://awn.bz/HouseOfRothschildP1.html
https://inlnews.com/BilderbergGroupHistory.html
Two of the INL News Group's Historical News and Information Websites INLNews.com and AWN.bz which were established in 2008 are now heading to becoming top ranking websites in the USA
Please Note that because INLNews.com and AWN.bz were build on old outdated website building software, they can not be edited in any way, and are this stuck in their historical format as they were built in 2008... the INL News Groups web building staff are working hard to rebuild these websites with similar domains names such as
with all the historical information and news and more current updated news and information
https://awn.bz/HouseOfRothschildP1.html
https://inlnews.com/BilderbergGroupHistory.html
s://awn.bz/HouseOfRothschildP1.html
https://inlnews.com/BilderbergGroupHistory.html
Suspect named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana as Starmer announces new 'capability' to curb riots - BBC NewsPolice officers injured and building set on fire in Sunderland unrest
Violent UK Immigration Protests Resulting From Stabbing Murder Of Children At Taylor Swift Dance Class Part One
What we know about the Southport stabbings as murder suspect named as Axel Rudakubana
Southport UK stabbing suspect, 17, is named for the first time as he appears in court charged with murdering three little girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance class and harming 10 others with a 'curved kitchen knife'
A court sketch of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who appeared at Liverpool Crown Court earlier
Axel Rudakubana in court. Court artist credit: Helen Tipper
Police probing viral video showing 'black or ethnic origin' man punched
1 August 2024
André Rhoden-Paul
Live reporter
It is good to know André Rhoden-Paul is a Live Reporter not a dead reporter like many Palestinian reporters in Gaza who have been deliberated targeted and murdered by Israel's IDF under orders of Israel's Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing criminal prosecutions for war crimes for ordering the murders, wounding and starvation of over one million Palestinian woman and children in Gaza by the International Court of Justice
The man in the beige coloured jacket is punched by a man with a cap wearing a blue, white and red T-shirt
Police are investigating the assault of a young person of colour in Hartlepool who was punched in the face in an attack that has gone viral.
A screen recording of a TikTok live stream posted on social media shows a man, the police describe as "black or ethnic origin", walking along a pavement at night with a crowd of protestors in the road nearby.
A person in the background of the stream can be heard saying "this is unfortunate timing" for the man to be walking down the street, before laughing.
He is then punched in the face by a white man. The punched man then walks back down the street lined with what appears to be police behind riot shields.
BBC News has identified the street where the attack took place as Lowthian Road.
In a statement to the BBC, a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the force is urging the man punched or anyone who knows him to contact the police.
Firefighters tend to a burning police car in Hartlepool after a violent protest
Rudakubana seen arriving at court in a police convoy
Floral tributes continue to be left around Southport
17 year old teenager charged with murdering three girls in Southport stabbing attack appears in court
Victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King. Pic: Merseyside Police
Bebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack. A teenager is set to appear in court charged with three counts of murder
Floral and written tributes are left alongside balloons and teddy bears at the scene of the stabbings on Hart Street, Southport
Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on Monday
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport
Community in mourning after three girls killed in knife attack
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd194zkw4d9o
Ewan Gawne, Laura O'Neill & Angela Ferguson
The three girls who were killed in a "ferocious" knife attack at a children's dance workshop have been named by police.
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, Southport, on Monday.
On Tuesday, there was an emotional vigil on the town's streets, where thousands gathered to remember the three girls.
But there were violent scenes nearby hours later, when 39 police officers were injured - eight seriously - in clashes with rioters, which also saw a mosque attacked and an emergency vehicle set alight.
Tributes have been left close to the scene of the attack on Hart Street
Some of the crowd threw missiles at officers and the mosque.
Merseyside Police said supporters of the far right English Defence League were behind the violence, which Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss described as "sickening".
He said it would have involved "many people who do not live in the Merseyside area or care about the people of Merseyside".
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also condemned the "scenes of thuggery", which she said "bear no relation" to a community that had been coming together to support each other.
As well as the three girls killed in Monday's stabbing, five children and two adults who were injured remain in a critical condition.
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".
Leanne Lucas was understood to be the teacher running the Taylor Swift-themed dance event
Tributes have also been paid to yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, thought to be 35 and among those currently in hospital, who the BBC understands was running the summer holiday dance and yoga class.
"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.
'Shine bright little ones'
Merseyside Police said a 17-year-old boy, from Banks in Lancashire, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, remains in custody.
The force said it was not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack, which it added was not being "treated as terror-related".
The BBC can report that the teenage suspect, whose parents are from Rwanda, was born in Cardiff and moved to the Southport area in 2013.
It is understood that detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West have been actively providing support to the investigation.
A police representative said a name shared online in connection with the suspect was "incorrect" and urged people "not to speculate on details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing".
A personal trainer who intervened in the stabbing told Sky News about "locking eyes" with the attacker.
Joel Verite said he rushed to help after seeing a woman covered in blood and saw the attacker holding a knife at the top of the stairs.
"I open the door downstairs... there's a guy at the bottom of the stairs with a full tracksuit, his hood up, with a knife," he said.
"We've looked at each other and he's scurried off to the side."
He said what he saw would "probably stay with me for the rest of my life".
Thousands of people joined the vigil outside the Atkinson building in Southport, which began at 18:00 BST.
Flowers were laid for those who affected by the attack, while those who had gathered applauded the efforts of the emergency services who had responded.
A minute's silence was observed in honour of the girls who died and those who were injured.
Addressing the crowd, Sefton Mayor June Burns said she hoped the vigil would offer support to the families of those killed and injured, adding that it was "hard to find the words at such a horrendous time".
Local residents have left flowers, cards and teddies by the police cordon close to the scene.
Churches have opened to give people a place to gather and several shops and pubs have closed as a mark of respect.
Sefton Council said it had launched a dedicated webpage providing information about help and support and would do "whatever it takes” to support the community as it dealt with the impact of "one of the saddest days in the borough’s history".
Council leader Marion Atkinson said there had been some "truly amazing acts of kindness" since the tragic events and while it would "take time for us to come to terms with this... we will stay strong together".
She added that the "offers of support" that the council had received "from across the world [were] much appreciated".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he came to pay his "respects to the families and the victims"
In total, 11 patients with stab injuries were treated by the ambulance service and some were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, which declared a major incident.
A spokeswoman for Alder Hey said two of the seven children who had been brought there for treatment remained in "critical care, but currently in a stable condition".
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who followed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in visiting the scene of the attack, said he had come to pay his "respects to the families and the victims who are going through raw pain and grief".
"As a father myself, I can't imagine what they're going through," he said.
He told emergency crews he was "incredibly proud of what you did" in responding to the attack, adding: "I'm amazed, but not surprised, that you're in today, carrying on with your duties."
"I wanted to shake their hands and say on behalf of the entire country 'thank you for what you did yesterday', because that was no ordinary challenge that they ran towards," Sir Keir said.
"They have saved lives and sometimes it's very important to come and personally say 'thank you'."
'Heinous attack'
Shadow home secretary James Cleverly called for people not to "get involved in the grief of others" by sharing misinformation relating to the attack on social media.
"Enough people are already distressed without their distress being amplified by speculation and gossip online," he added.
Singer Taylor Swift said she was "completely in shock" after the "horror" of the knife attack.
Her fans had raised more than £200,000 for the victims' families by Tuesday evening.
Several other fundraisers have also been launched for those caught up in the attack.
King Charles previously paid tribute to "all those affected by this truly appalling attack".
Additional reporting by Chris Long and Monica Rimmer
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The BBC has removed a 2018 Children in Need campaign video from its websites after it emerged it featured the Southport stabbing suspect.
Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of murdering three girls at a dance class on Monday, appeared in the advert aged 11, as first reported by the Daily Mail.
It is understood that he was contracted by the BBC for the video through a casting agency.
A BBC Children in Need spokesperson confirmed the video has now been removed from all of its platforms out of respect to the victims, adding: “Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone impacted by this shocking case."
The footage shows the teenager dressed as Doctor Who, wearing a tan trench coat and blue suit and tie. He is seen walking out of the Tardis before calling on audiences to "do your thing" for Children in Need.
According to the Mail, the youngster was represented by the Ology child talent agency. Ology has not responded to a request for comment from BBC News.
It is understood BBC Children in Need has no relationship to Axel Rudakubana and he has never had an affiliation with any of its funded projects.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the stabbings on Hart Street in the Merseyside town.
They had been attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week and was charged with murdering the three girls.
He was also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack.
He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
The teenager could not previously be named due to his age but Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled it could be made public following applications from the media.
The defendant is due to turn 18 next week.
Since the killings, episodes of unrest have broken out in towns and cities across England.
On Friday night, a police building in Sunderland was ransacked and a Citizens Advice premises next door was set alight as police faced “serious and sustained levels of violence".
The home secretary has said "criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder" will "pay the price for their violence and thuggery."
Bristol protest violence was 'absolutely outrageous'
Two sets of protesters clashed in the city sparked by the killing of three young girls in Southport.
Bristol
Arrests made after reported fight follows protests
Police say a number of arrests were made after an earlier protest passed off largely without incident.
West Yorkshire
Police disperse protesters after missiles hurled
Ten arrests are made and three police officers and two men are injured in the disorder, police say.
Police officers injured and building set on fire in Sunderland unrest
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnl0lkrxgvxo
Police officers faced "serious and sustained levels of violence" after hundreds of people rioted in Sunderland on Friday night.
Northumbria Police said three of its officers were injured during the unrest and needed hospital treatment.
Eight people have been arrested after a police building was ransacked and a Citizens Advice premises next door to it was set alight.
Beer cans and bricks were thrown at riot police outside a mosque and cars were set on fire during the disorder.
It is the latest episode of unrest to break out in towns and cities across England following the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.
Northumbria Police Ch Supt Helena Barron said officers had been met with "serious and sustained" levels of violence, which was "utterly deplorable".
She said a full investigation was under way to identify those responsible for any criminal behaviour.
"I want to make it absolutely clear that the disorder, violence and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated," Ch Supt Barron added.
Of the three injured police officers, one has been discharged and two remain in hospital for further treatment, she said.
Watch: BBC reports from Sunderland as rioters cause chaos
Some members of the crowd could be heard shouting Islamophobic slurs and chanting in support of far-right activist Tommy Robsinson, founder of the now disbanded English Defence League (EDL).
Mr Yaxley-Lennon's X account has promoted false claims that the alleged Southport attacker had been an asylum seeker who recently arrived in the UK by boat.
Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, said: "Last night one of the flags on the street bore the reference to the North East Infidels, which is a Nazi offshoot from the North East chapter of
what was the EDL."
Mounted police were deployed to Sunderland's city centre to push back demonstrators, some of whom were in masks.
Officers also had beer barrels thrown at them, as young men shouted: "Whose streets? Our streets".
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said criminals attacking the police would "pay the price for their violence and thuggery".
Towns and cities including London, Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot have seen protests descend into violence following the Southport knife attack.
In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new national violent disorder programme to help clamp down on violent groups by allowing police forces to share intelligence.
In a televised speech on Thursday, Sir Keir said: "These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a police response that can do the same."
He also condemned "violent disorder, clearly whipped up online".
"We will take all necessary action to keep our streets safe", the PM said.
The BBC has identified at least 30 demonstrations being planned by far-right activists around the UK over the weekend, including a new protest in Southport.
Additional reporting by Jim Scott, Andy Watson and Bethany White.
More than 100 arrested in London as violence flares after Southport stabbings | UK news | The Guardian
Southport murder accused named as Axel Rudakubana | UK news | The Guardian
Yesterday floral tributes, balloons and soft toys covered the street near the police cordon
Police chiefs arrive to meet Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss clashes following the Southport stabbing
https://www.theguardian.com/
Rudakubana (pictured in a video) could not previously be named because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstances
The suspect was surrounded by a convoy of eight police cars and vans, with officers fearing they could be met with angry protesters following Monday night's riots
Another young picture of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana
Southport murder accused named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana
Summary
-
The suspect in the Southport stabbings has been named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, after restrictions preventing him from being identified were lifted
-
He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a bladed article and is remanded in youth custody
-
PM Sir Keir Starmer denounces the actions of "a gang of thugs" who took part in a riot in Southport and says a new "national capability" will be established to tackle violent disorder
-
Tuesday's riot followed a vigil for the victims Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine
-
Police officers have been given greater stop and search powers in Southport town centre, lasting until 18:00 BST on Friday
-
Disorder broke out on Wednesday evening in parts of England, with more than 100 people arrested in central London, alongside disturbances in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot
Live Reporting
Edited by James Gregory
James Gregory
Live editor
We'll soon be pausing our live coverage, but before we do let's take a look back at what's happened today.
The suspect behind the Southport attack was named for the first time as 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, after the judge at Liverpool Crown Court lifted reporting restrictions.
We've also for the first time obtained photos of the suspect, taken from when he was much younger, and there have been several court sketches released.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with police chiefs from across the country to discuss plans to tackle violent disorder in several towns and cities, including Southport on Tuesday night.
Starmer condemned what he called "far-right hatred" and announced a new "national capability" in order to help police forces – more on that here.
In Southport, more flowers and handwritten tributes have been left for the three girls who died in the attack – Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven – as the community continues to mourn.
Teen, 17, accused of Southport murders named
A court sketch of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who appeared at Liverpool Crown Court earlier
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6p2yrg3pvpo
A 17-year-old charged with murdering three girls who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack on Monday.
The suspect, who is from the Lancashire village of Banks, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, and also faces a charge of possessing a curved kitchen knife.
He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
The Cardiff-born teenager could not previously be named due to his age but Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled it could be made public following applications from the media.
The defendant is due to turn 18 next week.
The judge said he was mindful of "misinformation" that had spread regarding the accused's identity.
Southport saw a night of unrest on Tuesday following a vigil in memory of the victims, with protesters gathering near a mosque in the Merseyside town.
Five men were arrested - with one later charged with possessing a knife - after a police van was set alight and bricks were thrown, with 53 police officers injured.
A further Section 60 order, which gives police enhanced powers to stop and search and is designed to minimise violence, was put in place on Thursday evening.
This follows the original Section 60 order brought in for 24 hours from 17:00 BST on Wednesday evening.
The latest order came into effect at 18:00 BST and will also last for 24 hours, with extra officers in the area, Merseyside Police said.
Judge Menary said: "Continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has a disadvantage of allowing others up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum."
He acknowledged his decision was "exceptional" but said "the balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest in allowing full reporting of these proceedings".
Arguing against naming the defendant, the prosecution said he had an "autism spectrum disorder diagnosis" and had been "unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time".
He attended an appearance at a youth court at about 09:00 BST, arriving in a prison van with a large police escort.
In front of a packed press gallery, he glanced at reporters before he was asked to sit down before District Judge James Hatton.
Wearing a grey police-issued tracksuit, the defendant pulled his sweatshirt above his nose and lowered his head during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
None of the families of the victims or the defendant were in court.
The accused will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 October for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
The teenager did not speak during his court appearance and covered his face
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the stabbings on Hart Street in the Merseyside town, just before midday on Monday.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.
Earlier on Thursday, Alder Hey Children's Hospital confirmed two children who were being treated there had been discharged.
The hospital said it was continuing to treat five other children, and all were now in a stable condition.
A statement read: "We are delighted that two of the children involved in Monday's awful incident have now been discharged.
"Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those affected."
The hospital also thanked Taylor Swift fans for raising more than £340,000.
Set up by two members of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebo
ok Group, the fundraiser has had donations from fans around the world.
“Thank you for embodying the spirit of Taylor’s music and for turning empathy into action,” the hospital said.
Floral tributes continue to be left around Southport
Following Tuesday's disturbances in Southport, further disorder broke out in areas across England, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in central London on Wednesday night.
There were also incidents in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "action will be taken" following the "violent disorder" at a meeting with police chiefs at Downing Street earlier.
Speaking in a televised speech afterwards, he laid out plans for forces across the country to increase their co-operation to tackle such incidents.
He described the widespread disorder as the "actions of a tiny, mindless minority" and condemned "far-right hatred".
The prime minister added: "These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a police response that can do the same."
Following Monday's attack, the families of Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar issued tributes and asked for privacy.
Bebe's family said "no words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss".
The family of Alice said "keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess".
Additional reporting by Rumeana Jahangir, Monica Rimmer, Phil McCann & PA Media
In pictures: Flowers, toys and cards laid in tribute to Southport victim
1st August 2024
More flowers, cards and soft toys have been laid in tribute to the victims of the stabbing attack in Southport. Here's some of the latest images:
Facial recognition plans are 'alarming' – privacy campaign group
published 1 August 2024
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans to deploy facial recognition technology more widely in a bid to tackle disorder are "alarming", a privacy campaign group says.
The measure is part of a new "national capability" across police forces to combat the unrest seen in parts of England in the wake of the Southport stabbings, Starmer announced earlier.
Big Brother Watch says the plan "threatens rather than protects democracy".
"This AI surveillance turns members of the public into walking ID cards, is dangerously inaccurate and has no explicit legal basis in the UK," the group's director, Silkie Carlo, says.
More sketches from inside the court
Earlier today we brought you the first court sketches from inside Liverpool Crown Court of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, who is accused of murdering three girls at their dance class on Monday.
We've now received a couple more court sketches of Rudakubana in court today:
Starmer's plan influenced by lessons from policing football hooligans
Dominic Casciani
Home and legal correspondent
The prime minister’s promise of a new approach to tackling violent disorder seems to be based on learning lessons from how police have targeted football hooligans.
The UK’s Football Policing Unit tries to track would be trouble-makers and find ways to disrupt them. The prime minister seems to be hoping the same principle can be applied to the far-right, by making sure that individual forces that have intelligence on activists are sharing that with everyone else.
But how to stop them moving around?
This is where Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) come in. These are restrictions that can be imposed on a convicted criminal if a court suspected their future behaviour could cause “harassment, alarm or distress”.
That would obviously apply to anyone who goes out to riot. A CBO could ban them from activity such as joining a far-right protest or even entering a specific town centre.
Breaching an order can lead to up to five years in jail. So the prime minister hopes that CBOs could have a significant effect in taking violence from the streets.
None of this can happen overnight - so it’s a long-term strategic bet that a difference can be made.
More disorder not inevitable, say police chiefs
published at 1 August 2024
Nick Eardley
Political correspondent
The chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council has said more disorder is not inevitable.
Speaking to the BBC after an earlier meeting with the prime minister, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: "It's our job in policing to be worried about this but it's not inevitable".
He said unrest in recent days was "not protest, it's violent disorder, it's criminality".
He told those thinking of attending events: "You will feel the full force of the law."
He urged communities to pull together - and said everyone had to play a part "in not fanning any flames of disorder".
'High, visible presence' on Southport's streets, police say
published 1 August 2024
Let's bring you some more on that Section 60 order in place in Southport this evening.
The order applies to Southport town centre, including Sussex Road, St Luke’s Road and the villages of Ainsdale, Hillside and Birkdale.
In a statement, Merseyside Police's Community Inspector Doug Chadwick says the orders are an "effective tool in our efforts to protect the public from the violence and destruction the town saw on Tuesday, allowing us to stop and search people suspected of carrying weapons or planning any criminality.
“People living in Southport will now be used to seeing a highly visible police presence on their streets. I hope that presence is reassuring, and I would ask anyone with concerns to speak to our officers."
Chadwick adds that the support shown by Southport's community has been of huge comfort for the Merseyside Police force.
Police given more stop and search powers in Southport
1 August 2024
A section 60 order, which gives police enhanced powers to stop and search and is designed to minimise violence, has been put in place in Southport this evening.
The order came into effect at 18:00 BST and will last for 24 hours, with extra officers in the area, according to Merseyside Police.
Jewish community reach out to Southport mosque
1 August 2024
Southport's Jewish community has reached out to the town's mosque after the place of worship was targeted.
Southport Hebrew Congregation said it sent a message to the chair of the mosque.
"Inter-community relations are important... and they [the Muslim community] don't want people stoking tensions at this difficult time," said Victor Isenwater, chair of Southport Hebrew Congregation.
The congregation is also making a donation to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where victims have been treated.
How Southport mum told her daughter about stabbing 1 August 2024
Judith Moritz and Rebecca Wearn
BBC North West
More reaction now from Southport, where the BBC has been speaking to a friend of one of the victims.
Charlotte Brown had an unimaginable task as a mother.
She had to tell her eight-year-old daughter, Poppy, that her friend from school, nine-year-old Alice Aguiar, had been killed in the Southport attack, and that a woman who ran a yoga class Poppy attended after school, Leanne Lucas, was also badly hurt.
“We didn’t know the names, but I knew that Alice was definitely in there,” Poppy told the BBC. “And when we found out she was in hospital I crossed my fingers.”
Later, Alice was named as one of the three girls who had died. “I saw the picture,” said Poppy. “And I said what is wrong with her? And you said she has died from the incident.”
“I don't think she's fully got it, that she has gone,” Charlotte said. But she has kept on letting Poppy ask questions any time she has needed.
They have been to the cordon twice to lay flowers, whenever Poppy has wanted to. “I think it’s important she sees the love and support.”
“It made me feel as though I was giving them to Alice,” Poppy said.
Poppy told her Mum that Alice was a beautiful singer, who often got the choir solos. “She’ll be a big miss,” Poppy said.
Bebe King's friend 'very upset' 1 August 2024
Will Vernon
BBC News correspondent
Bebe King died after the knife attack on Monday
The mother of a friend of Bebe King - the six-year-old who was killed in the Southport stabbings on Monday - has told the BBC her daughter is "very upset".
The woman, who would not give her name, said her six-year-old daughter sat next to Bebe in school.
“It’s not something you should tell a six-year-old, is it? She’s very upset," she said.
"I think it’s going to hit them a bit more when they go back to school because she won’t be there. It’s hard.”
The little girl, whose name was also not given, was asked by her mother whether Bebe was fun to play with.
“Yeah,” she replied, “She used to talk like [children’s cartoon character] Pikachu.”
The mother and daughter had brought flowers and a Pikachu balloon to lay at the scene of the attack.
New photo released of Rudakubana 1 August 2024
A new photo has been released of Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, taken some years ago.
The 17-year-old suspect was named this afternoon after reporting restrictions were lifted.
'We will be relentless' in pursuing those behind violence - Cleveland Police
1 August 2024
"We will be relentless in our pursuit" of people involved in the unrest in Hartlepool, police have said.
Demonstrators set fire to a police car and pelted officers with missiles in disorder that has left the town "shocked and saddened".
So far Cleveland Police have arrested 11 people.
"Our officers go above and beyond to protect the safety of our community day in and day out, they should never be subjected to the attacks they faced last night," Assistant Chief Constable David Felton said.
Police probing viral video showing 'black or ethnic origin' man punched
1 August 2024
André Rhoden-Paul
Live reporter
It is good to know André Rhoden-Paul is a Live Reporter not a dead reporter like many Palestinian reporters in Gaza who have been deliberated targeted and murdered by Israel's IDF under orders of Israel's Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing criminal prosecutions for war crimes for ordering the murders, wounding and starvation of over one million Palestinian woman and children in Gaza by the International Court of Justice
The man in the beige coloured jacket is punched by a man with a cap wearing a blue, white and red T-shirt
Police are investigating the assault of a young person of colour in Hartlepool who was punched in the face in an attack that has gone viral.
A screen recording of a TikTok live stream posted on social media shows a man, the police describe as "black or ethnic origin", walking along a pavement at night with a crowd of protestors in the road nearby.
A person in the background of the stream can be heard saying "this is unfortunate timing" for the man to be walking down the street, before laughing.
He is then punched in the face by a white man. The punched man then walks back down the street lined with what appears to be police behind riot shields.
BBC News has identified the street where the attack took place as Lowthian Road.
In a statement to the BBC, a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the force is urging the man punched or anyone who knows him to contact the police.
-
Watch on BBC: 'These thugs are mobile' - Starmer
Southport murder accused named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana
Judge allows naming of 17-year-old boy charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder
A 17-year-old boy accused of murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport can be named as Axel Rudakubana.
Rudakubana is accused of murdering Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, with a kitchen knife on Monday after entering the class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.
Lifting the anonymity order at Liverpool crown court, Judge Andrew Menary KC said the unrest in parts of the country after the attack was one reason why it was in the public interest for his name to be released.
Remanding Axel in youth detention, the judge said keeping the defendant’s anonymity in place ran the risk of “allowing others who are up to mischief to continue to spread disinformation in a vacuum”.
The defendant is due to turn 18 on Wednesday, which could provide an “additional excuse for a fresh round of public disorder”, the judge said.
Throughout the 55-minute hearing, Axel covered his face with his sweatshirt pulled up to his hairline, he refused to speak, including to confirm his name, and
at times rocked back and forth and side to side.
He will next appear at Liverpool crown court on 25 October and a provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, was scheduled for 20 January.
Menary told the defendant, who did not acknowledge the judge and continued to keep his head down: “You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed. That position might change when you achieve your [age of] majority in a short while.”
Image:Axel Rudakubana when he was younger
Southport latest: Murder suspect, 17, named as Axel Rudakubana in 'exceptional' decision | UK News | Sky News
17 year old teenager charged with murdering three girls in Southport stabbing attack appears in court
Axel Rudakubana in court. Court artist credit: Helen Tipper
Image: This map shows where recent riots and unrest have taken place, with many related to the stabbing attack on Monday
Victims Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King. Pic: Merseyside Police
Rudakubana covers his face in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder
Rudakubana covers his face in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder
A 17-year-old boy, charged with murder and attempted murder after a mass stabbing in Southport, has appeared in court and been named as Axel Rudakubana.
Three children, six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, died as a result of the attack at The Hart Space community centre.
A "Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop" aimed at children aged between primary school years two and six was taking place at the time of the attack in the seaside town, which is north of Liverpool.
Rudakubana, who is from a nearby village in Lancashire, but was born in Cardiff, Wales, was arrested on Monday.
Usually, the defendant, because he is aged under 18, would be granted anonymity.
However, in an "exceptional" decision, Judge Andrew Menary KC did not conceal the identity of Rudakubana - who turns 18 in six days.
The Liverpool judge said that doing so would allow others to "spread misinformation".
"Whilst I accept it is exceptional given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days time, I do not make an order under section 45," he said.
He added: "Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum."
Rudakubana has now been remanded in youth custody, after he was charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a knife.
Rudakubana appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning.
During the 55-minute court hearing, the teenager put his head down inside his grey sweatshirt and at times was seen rocking back and forth and side to side.
Judge Menary told the defendant: "You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed.
"That position might change when you achieve your majority in a short while."
A plea and trial preparation hearing for Rudakubana has been set for 25 October at Liverpool Crown Court, with a provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, scheduled for 20 January next year.
The suspect, 17, in the Southport killings has been named after a judge ruled against concealing his identity. Earlier, two children who were injured in the attack were released from hospital. It comes after a second night of violence spurred by misinformation online about the suspect.
Thursday 1 August 2024, UK
Southport UK stabbing suspect, 17, is named for the first time as he appears in court charged with murdering three little girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance class and harming 10 others with a 'curved kitchen knife'
Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'
The convoy of police vans escorted the prison van away from Liverpool Crown Court
By Richard Marsden and Eirian Jane Prosser and Matthew Lodge 01 Aug 2024
A teenager charged with murdering three children and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana.
The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in just six days time, was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff in 2006 before moving to the village of Banks in Lancashire in 2013.
He is accused of carrying out the attack that killed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
Rudakubana is also accused of the attempted murders of eight more children, along with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes.
Up until now, the teenager's identity could not be revealed because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstances.
But after a successful application to the judge by the Mail, Rudakubana's name can now be reported.
Judge Andrew Menary KC said he had to balance the risk to the suspect's family and the risk to him in custody with the public interest accurately reporting his identity.
Far-right mobs took to the streets of Southport and and other major UK cities this week after a fake news website spread misinformation about the identity of the suspect.
Russian state media were among those falsely claiming that the suspect had arrived by boat to the UK last year, sharing claims that he was on an M16 watch list.
It led to violent riots, seeing dozens of police officers injured, wheelie bins set alight and emergency vehicles set on fire.
In a bid to quell tensions - after more riots broke out in London, Manchester Hartlepool, and Aldershot - Judge Menary revealed Rudakubana's identity.
As the suspected murderer arrived at the court he was met by dozens of people shouting, with one man having to be held back by police officers as the van holding him past.
The revelation comes as two children hurt in the attack were discharged from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, with five others in a 'stable condition'.
Pictured for the first time: Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana, now 17, pictured as a child, is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others
Rudakubana (pictured as a child) is charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport with a 'curved kitchen knife'
Court artist drawing of Rudakubana covering his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court
Rudakubana (pictured as a child)haRudakubana covers his face in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court after being charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murderRudakubana (pictured in a video) could not previously be named because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstancesAnother young picture of RudakubanaBebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack. A teenager is set to appear in court charged with three counts of murderElsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on MondayAlice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in SouthportA man is held back by police as a prison van escorted by multiple police cars leaves Liverpool Crown CourtThe white van carrying Axel Rudakubana, 17, who is accused of killing three young girls arrives as Liverpool Magistrates CourtRudakubana seen arriving at court in a police convoyA prison van (centre) escorted by multiple police vehicles leaves Liverpool Crown Court
Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said he had to balance the risk to the defendant's family and the initial risk while in custody against the public interest in accurately reporting his identity.
Why did the judge name Rudakubana?
Usually a defendant under the age of 18 is granted anonymity during court proceedings.
This means media are not allowed to name or picture them unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Today, however, Judge Andrew Menary KC decided to name Axel Rudbakubana.
The judge at Liverpool Crown Court listened to 20 minutes of legal submissions before declining to make an order to protect the teen's identity.
He said: 'Whilst I accept it is exceptional giving his age, principally because he is 18 in six days' time, I do not make an order under section 45.
'Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.'
He noted that any order would have been lifted on Rudbakubana when he turned 18 anyways.
The judge's decision comes after misinformation spread by fake news websites and Russian state media wrongly identified the suspect.
The false claim said the suspect had arrived to the UK by boat last year sharing claims he was an M16 watchlist.
It led to violent riots in Southport and beyond which saw dozens of police officers injured, wheelie bins set alight and emergency vehicles set on fire.
He said: 'By continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has the disadvantage of allowing others who are up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum and runs the risk that when the information becomes publicly available in six days' time, that will provide an additional excuse for a fresh round of public disorder.
'Allowing full reporting will undoubtedly remove some of the misreporting as to the identity of the defendant.'
A provisional trial date at Liverpool Crown Court, set to last six weeks, was scheduled for January 20 next year.
Rudakubana spent the entire 55 minutes of the hearing covering his whole face, with his grey sweatshirt pulled up to his hairline and at times rocking back and forth, side to side.
He will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on October 25 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Until then he will be remanded in youth accommodation detention.
Judge Menary told the defendant, who did not acknowledge the judge and continued to keep his head down: 'You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed.
'That position might change when you achieve your majority in a short while.'
Earlier today, the suspect attended a hearing at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court which lasted just five minutes.
During proceedings, prosecutor Deanna Heer alleged a 'kitchen knife with a curved blade' had been used during the rampage.
During that time Rudakubana, who is also charged with possessing an offensive weapon, wore a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers and pulled his sweatshirt over his face above his nose, keeping his head low.
At one point in the hearing, the teenager, who did not speak once, looked back at the group of around 20 reporters that were sat behind the dock.
The suspect arrived at the court around 9.30am in a white prison van flanked by a large escort of at least eight police vehicles.
The large police presence comes amid fears angry protesters will turn up outside the courthouse, after a series of riots have swept the country in recent days.
More than 100 people were arrested in London last night following a far-right protest in Whitehall, with further unrest in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
On Tuesday night, an angry mob took to the streets of Southport after a vigil to remember victims of the mass stabbing at the workshop attended by 25 children.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, leaves Liverpool Magistrates' Court after being charged with three counts of murderThe convoy of police vans escorted the prison van away from Liverpool Crown CourtThe suspect was surrounded by a convoy of eight police cars and vans, with officers fearing they could be met with angry protesters following Monday night's riotsFloral and written tributes are left alongside balloons and teddy bears at the scene of the stabbings on Hart Street, SouthportForensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save childrenEmergency crews swoop on the area after a group of children were attacked at Taylor Swift-themed dance class
The defendant, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is accused of entering a dance studio in Hart Street and attacking children and adults who were inside on Monday afternoon.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds - with five left in a critical condition in hospital - while two adults who tried to save the young ones in the summer holiday club were also seriously wounded.
The adults harmed were dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes who tried to help.
In a statement Merseyside Police said yesterday: 'We can confirm that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice; 10 counts of attempted murder; and Possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, 29 July.
'He has been remanded in custody to appear tomorrow, Thursday 1 August at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.'
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).
Leanne Lucas, who organised the Taylor Swift-themed holiday club, has had life-saving surgery and is now awake, her family said on WednesdayYesterday floral tributes, balloons and soft toys covered the street near the police cordonFriendship bracelets reading "Beautiful Swifties" are seen next to electric tea lights amid floral tributes for the victims of a deadly knife attack at the Atkinson in Southport
'I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.'
The boy, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: 'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat had sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night, despite pleas from one of the victim's mother's for calm.
Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims at a vigil in Southport, but violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured. Five men have been arrested following that incident.
After rioting broke out, Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.'
Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'.
The Prime Minister is set to face questions this afternoon after crisis talks with police over the outbreak of rioting following the Southport knife attack.
On Wednesday, a clean up operation took place outside the mosque, with residents coming together to clear roads where fires had been set and rebuild walls which had been knocked down.
Police called in support from neighbouring forces in case of further disorder, but the seaside town appeared to remain quiet on Wednesday evening, however unrest developed in other areas of the country.
More than 100 people were arrested in London after crowds gathered in Whitehall turned on police, throwing bottles and cans at officers in riot gear.
The Southport mass stabbings have led to riots on the streets. Pictured: A police van is torched in Southport on Tuesday nightSouthport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets on Tuesday nightPolice chiefs arrive to meet Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss clashes following the Southport stabbingThe riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in SouthportMourners leave floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, where three children died and eight were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack
Some were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted 'Rule Britannia', 'save our kids' and 'stop the boats' and chanting 'you're not English any more'.
A Met Police spokesman said: 'Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.'
Responding to last nights riots, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: 'The scenes of disorder and violence yesterday evening were completely unacceptable.
'There is no place for criminality on our streets and I fully support the Met Police taking action against those intent on violence, causing disorder and spreading division in our city.'
In Hartlepool, County Durham four people were arrested after violent protests broke out, with people detained for various offences after missiles, glass bottles and eggs were thrown at officers.
A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: 'At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.
'Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.
Floral tributes continue to be left around Southport
Teen 17 accused of Southport UK Murders BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/
A 17-year-old charged with murdering three girls who were stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack on Monday.
The suspect, who is from the Lancashire village of Banks, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court, and also faces a charge of possessing a curved kitchen knife.
He was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
The Cardiff-born teenager could not previously be named due to his age but Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled it could be made public following applications from the media.
The defendant is due to turn 18 next week.
The judge said he was mindful of "misinformation" that had spread regarding the accused's identity.
Southport saw a night of unrest on Tuesday following a vigil in memory of the victims, with protesters gathering near a mosque in the Merseyside town.
Five men were arrested - with one later charged with possessing a knife - after a police van was set alight and bricks were thrown, with 53 police officers injured.
A further Section 60 order, which gives police enhanced powers to stop and search and is designed to minimise violence, was put in place on Thursday evening.
This follows the original Section 60 order brought in for 24 hours from 17:00 BST on Wednesday evening.
The latest order came into effect at 18:00 BST and will also last for 24 hours, with extra officers in the area, Merseyside Police said.
Judge Menary said: "Continuing to prevent full reporting at this stage has a disadvantage of allowing others up to mischief to continue to spread misinformation in a vacuum."
He acknowledged his decision was "exceptional" but said "the balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest in allowing full reporting of these proceedings".
Arguing against naming the defendant, the prosecution said he had an "autism spectrum disorder diagnosis" and had been "unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time".
He attended an appearance at a youth court at about 09:00 BST, arriving in a prison van with a large police escort.
In front of a packed press gallery, he glanced at reporters before he was asked to sit down before District Judge James Hatton.
Wearing a grey police-issued tracksuit, the defendant pulled his sweatshirt above his nose and lowered his head during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
None of the families of the victims or the defendant were in court.
The accused will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 25 October for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, died after the stabbings on Hart Street in the Merseyside town, just before midday on Monday.
Eight children and two adults were also seriously injured.
Earlier on Thursday, Alder Hey Children's Hospital confirmed two children who were being treated there had been discharged.
The hospital said it was continuing to treat five other children, and all were now in a stable condition.
A statement read: "We are delighted that two of the children involved in Monday's awful incident have now been discharged.
"Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those affected."
The hospital also thanked Taylor Swift fans for raising more than £340,000.
Set up by two members of the Taylor Swift UK & EU Facebook Group, the fundraiser has had donations from fans around the world.
“Thank you for embodying the spirit of Taylor’s music and for turning empathy into action,” the hospital said.
Following Tuesday's disturbances in Southport, further disorder broke out in areas across England, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in central London on Wednesday night.
There were also incidents in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said "action will be taken" following the "violent disorder" at a meeting with police chiefs at Downing Street earlier.
Speaking in a televised speech afterwards, he laid out plans for forces across the country to increase their co-operation to tackle such incidents.
He described the widespread disorder as the "actions of a tiny, mindless minority" and condemned "far-right hatred".
The prime minister added: "These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a police response that can do the same."
Following Monday's attack, the families of Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar issued tributes and asked for privacy.
Bebe's family said "no words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss".
The family of Alice said "keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess".
Additional reporting by Rumeana Jahangir, Monica Rimmer, Phil McCann & PA Media
More than 100 arrested in London as violence flares after Southport stabbings | UK news | The Guardian
More than 100 arrested in London as violence flares after Southport stabbings
Hartlepool and Manchester among latest scenes of violent disorder triggered by online disinformation about accused
More than 100 people have been arrested in London as further protests took place in several cities after the Southport stabbings.
A police car was set alight after a large group of people gathered in the Murray Street area of Hartlepool on Wednesday evening. Officers were attacked with missiles, glass bottles and eggs, Cleveland police said.
In Manchester, demonstrators turned out in large numbers outside the Holiday Inn hotel on Oldham Road at about 6pm on Wednesday, the Manchester Evening News reported.
About 40 people, which the paper reported included children and men wearing balaclavas, gathered outside the Oldham Road premises in what the paper said “appeared to be a stand against asylum seekers currently being housed in the hotel”.
In London, a large protest was staged under the title of Enough is Enough, with arrests made after demonstrators clashed with officers in Whitehall on Wednesday.
The Metropolitan police said: “Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Demonstrators were seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares on to the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
The angry scenes also included loud chants of “we want our country back” and “Oh Tommy Robinson”, referring to the rightwing activist.
Eight people were arrested after rioters in Hartlepool threw missiles, glass bottles and eggs at police during a disturbance linked to events in Southport.
A police car was also set alight during large-scale unrest over several hours in Hartlepool town centre on Wednesday night.
The protest began at about 6pm and led to the rapid deployment of police officers from Cleveland police as well as neighbouring forces.
Several hundred people gathered on the streets. Pictures and videos show police with riot shields being threatened by protesters carrying wooden bats and poles. There were also children throwing missiles at police.
Some of those present were shouting anti-immigrant slogans.
At one point police rescued a group of three men and a woman who appeared to have been trapped in a terrace house. The woman was carried to safety by a member of her group, and was highly distressed as she seemed to have had a panic attack.
Officers in riot gear moved quickly down a street and extracted the group from a terrace house where youths had gathered outside.
Firefighters extinguished a police car that had been set ablaze in the disorder. After crews moved on people were seen posing for selfies in front of the burnt-out vehicle.
The town centre standoff between protesters and police went on until about midnight.
Ch Supt David Sutherland of Cleveland police said: “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week. Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.”
In Manchester, the local councillor John Flanagan wrote on social media to respond to the violence, labelling those involved in the “sickening” incident as “mindless idiots”.
“I’d like to condemn these mindless thugs, attacking innocent men who are asylum seekers. They have been there for months and we have not had any issues or problems. They have been in a place of safety,” the councillor for Miles Platting and Newton Heath said.
“We cannot allow our country and our city to descend into anarchy, which seems to be being driven by madness on social media.”
In Aldershot, the local MP Alex Baker rebuked the violence in her community, stating there was “no justification for disorderly behaviour and the scenes do not represent Aldershot and Farnborough”.
“I have visited the scene myself this evening and have been in touch with the chief inspector … We all support our shared right to peacefully protest but we will not stand for people coming into our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.”
Violence erupted in Southport on Tuesday after a vigil for three girls killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.
Police officers in Southport sustained serious injuries when bricks, stones and bottles were thrown and cars were set alight during violent protests. The disorder near the town’s mosque came after false rumours were circulated online about the suspect.
Five people have been arrested over the unrest so far, at which 53 officers and three police dogs were injured.
A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murders of the three girls. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday at a dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.
Eight other children sustained knife wounds with five of them in critical condition. Two adults were also critically hurt.
The accused has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court, Derby Square, on Thursday.
What we know about the Southport stabbings as murder suspect named as Axel Rudakubana
What we know about the Southport stabbings as murder suspect named as Axel Rudakubana
A 17-year-old boy charged with the murder of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has been named after reporting restrictions were lifted.
A 17-year-old boy charged with the murders of three girls killed in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana.
He appeared at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where a judge lifted reporting restrictions. The teenager could previously not be named because of his age, but would have lost anonymity when he turns 18 next Wednesday.
Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, was remanded into youth detention accommodation after being charged with the murder of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were killed on Monday morning.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds, with five of them in a critical condition in hospital. On Thursday, two of the children injured in the attack were discharged from hospital, while five more still being treated.
Rudakubana was charged with the attempted murder of two adults, yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as the attempted murder of the eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The teenager, who was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff, Wales, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article.
At an appearance at Liverpool Magistrates court on Thursday, the defendant was brought into court at 10.21am, wearing a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers. He looked at a row of reporters sat behind the glass dock and smiled before he was asked to sit down.
He used his left hand to pull his sweatshirt over his face above his nose and kept his head low during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
None of the families of either the victims or the defendant were in court for the brief hearing
The 17-year-old's appearance in court comes after two nights of disorder in response to the stabbings: violent unrest in Southport on Tuesday night involving people linked to the far-right English Defence League and a protest on Whitehall, close to Downing Street, on Wednesday in which more than 100 people were arrested. Incidents were also reported in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.
Prime minister Keir Starmer condemned the rioting calling the people who took part a "mindless minority," adding he would introduce a new police team to tackle far-right groups that travel around the UK to protest.
He also issued a warning to social media companies that allow misinformation to spread on their platforms. Starmer said: "Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, that is also a crime, it’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere."
A peaceful vigil involving hundreds of people was held for the victims in Southport on Tuesday evening.
What we know
Merseyside Police said officers were called to a property on Hart Street in Southport to reports of a stabbing at around 11.50am on Monday.
One witness told the PA news agency that he called the police to an address behind The Hart Space studios, where the Taylor Swift-themed class for children in school years two to six, aged between six and 11, was taking place.
Armed police detained a man and seized a knife. They subsequently said the crime was not being treated as terror-related.
The suspect, who was born in Cardiff, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Along with the three young girls, yoga teacher Leanne Lucas has been identified as one of those injured. Lucas, 35, lives in Southport and runs Enlighten Kids Yoga and put on the Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop at the Hart Space. She is a former primary school teacher, according to The Guardian.
According to the Liverpool Echo, dance teacher Heidi Liddle is also believed to have been injured in the attack. Jonathan Hayes, managing director of Calculus Legal Costs, was also hurt.
The incident has sparked a number of fundraisers. One of the most popular was set up by Taylor Swift fans Cristina Jones and Holly Holdring and has raised over £300,000 so far.
Taylor Swift responded to the incident saying she was "completely in shock”, adding: "I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
On Tuesday evening, hundreds of people took part in a vigil near to the scene where the attack took place with local businesses closing their doors to encourage people to attend.
However, following the vigil, rioting broke out with bricks, stones and bottles thrown and cars were set alight. Dozens of police officers were injured and a mosque was attacked. The violence was in part incited by baseless rumours spread on social media, misidentifying the suspect and falsely claiming he was a refugee.
Five people have been arrested over the unrest, which saw 53 officers and three police dogs injured.
In a post on social media, the force said shops had been “broken into and looted”, adding that “those responsible will be brought to justice”.
The Southport mosque chairman and imam described being trapped in the building while violence erupted outside as “terrifying” but said the supportive community response had been “humbling” after dozens of local residents turned up outside the mosque with brushes and shovels to help with the clean-up operation on Wednesday morning.
The MP for Southport Patrick Hurley condemned the “beered-up thugs” while Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for victims and will “feel the full force of the law".
Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight. The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”
On Wednesday night, there was further disorder - in central London - as more than 100 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions at a demonstration in the wake of the killings and subsequent riots in Southport.
The people, described as "protesters" by police, threw flares towards the gates of Downing Street and chanted “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats”. Some were arrested after breaching a 8.30pm dispersal order.
Later, Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, confirmed that the 17-year-old suspect had been charged: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial," she said.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.”
What we don't know
Full details of what unfolded are not yet known, nor have the identities of all the victims been made public by officials. The nature of the injuries suffered during the attack have not been disclosed and it is not known how serious the injuries of those still in a critical condition are.
Police earlier confirmed that there was no clear indication of any motive.
Southport victim's aunt speaks of family's 'immense