Police “suspected” the protesters of being “supporters” of the far-right anti-Islam English Defence League (EDL) movement, during a first night of violence that ended with 27 police officers being hospitalised.
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Another night of violence in the United Kingdom. Riots broke out late Friday, August 2 in Sunderland, where British police forces were victims of “serious violence” According to police, the latest clashes to date have followed the murder of three young girls earlier this week.
Footage circulating on social media shows hundreds of people rampaging through Sunderland city centre in north-east England, attacking police and setting fire to at least one car. “Our officers continue to face ongoing clashes and have been victims of serious violence.”Northumbria Police said. “The scenes we are witnessing are totally unacceptable”she added on the X network.
“Criminals who attack police and encourage disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and brutality.”British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on X. “The police have the full support of the government to act in the most robust way possible and ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear,” she added, assuring that the rioters “do not represent Britain.”.
Between 200 and 300 people took part in the first violence in Southport on Tuesday, amid rumours and speculation shared online about the religion, identity or origin of the perpetrator of the attacks. Law enforcement “suspect” the protesters to be “supports” from the far-right anti-Islam movement English Defence League (EDL). Local emergency services reported on X that they had treated “39 patients in total, all police officers”27 of whom were hospitalized.
Police are preparing for the possibility of a tense weekend. The various police forces are anticipating demonstrations in several cities, including Nottingham (central England), Rotherham (north), Cardiff (Wales), and Belfast (Northern Ireland). In London in particular, the Metropolitan Police indicated that they had “increase” its workforce “To reassure” the population, while a pro-Palestinian march and an anti-immigration rally are planned in the capital.
