A major incident has been declared in Southport overnight after thirty nine police officers were injured during rioting in the town.
A large group of people – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League – began to throw items towards a local mosque on St Luke’s Road.
Eight police sustained serious injuries including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion.
Other officers have suffered varying degrees of injury including head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was knocked unconscious.
The people involved have also set cars belonging to members of the public alight, thrown bricks at the local Mosque and damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins were set on fire.
Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said
The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday.
They deserve our support and our respect.
Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.They will feel the full force of the law.”
Three police dogs have also been injured. Police Dogs Zoe and Ike have sustained leg injuries from bricks thrown at them. A third dog, PD Quga, who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender at the beginning of this month, has tonight suffered burns to her back leg.
