Clashes at Vigil for Stabbed Girls in Southport

Far-right protesters clashed violently with British police in Southport on Tuesday, a day after a tragic stabbing incident claimed the lives of three young girls. The girls, aged 6 to 9, were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed event at a local dance school, prompting a peaceful vigil attended by hundreds. However, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the protesters for "hijacking" the vigil with violence, stating they had insulted the grieving community. The unrest escalated as several hundred protesters targeted a local mosque, setting vehicles and bins ablaze while attacking nearby shops. Merseyside Police reported that 22 officers were injured, with eight suffering serious injuries. Many of the rioters were identified as being from outside the area, raising concerns that they had come specifically to incite violence. The English Defence League, known for its anti-Islam demonstrations, was linked to the unrest. In the wake of the violence, Starmer vowed to use the "full force of the law" against the rioters, emphasizing the need to support the Southport community during this difficult time. Meanwhile, police have arrested a teenager in connection with the stabbings, who is believed to have lived near Southport. Local leaders and the Liverpool Region Mosque Network expressed concern that a minority were exploiting the tragedy to spread hatred, further heightening tensions in the community.