Nearly 40 police officers sustained injuries at the scene of violent disorder in Southport following Monday's knife attack, North West Ambulance Service said.
The rioting followed a mass stabbing in Southport at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club which claimed the lives of three young girls: Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.
The ambulance service said 27 police officers were taken to hospital following the "shocking" scenes of violence as riots erupted on the streets of Southport on Tuesday evening. Other officers suffered head injuries and serious facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious, the PA news agency reports.
A statement on X said: "We treated 39 patients in total, all of which were police officers. 27 were taken to hospital and 12 were treated and discharged at scene." Merseyside Police said eight officers suffered serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose, and a concussion.
Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks thrown at them. A third dog, Quga – who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender at the beginning of this month – suffered burns to her back leg, the force said.
Merseyside Police said those involved in the unrest – who they believe included supporters of the English Defence League – set alight cars belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at the local mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire. Extra police will remain in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
A 24-hour Section 60 Order was introduced in the area running from 7.54pm on Tuesday, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals and is designed to minimise serious violence. A Section 34 Order has also been introduced, giving police the power to direct people engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.
Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Goss, said: "Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.
"I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual aid and support. Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire, and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park."
He added: "This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday."
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the rioters had "hijacked" a vigil for victims and would "feel the full force of the law". Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting outside a mosque in Southport as "violent attacks from thugs on the streets", which she branded "appalling".
Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful vigil for the stabbing victims on Tuesday evening outside Southport's Atkinson arts venue, with many in tears as they laid flowers and cards of remembrance. The vigil was followed by a separate protest outside a local mosque as demonstrators chanted far-right slogans and clashed with police in St Luke's Road.
Eight other children were also stabbed in Monday's attack, with five children and two adults left in a critical condition. Police have said that, although the motive for the attack is unclear, it is not believed to be terror-related.
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