New UK riots erupt in Sunderland with police station set on fire and car torched
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A group of far-right protesters caused a fire at an old police station in Sunderland during another night of riots in the UK. The unrest was sparked by the recent stabbings in Southport.
Video footage captured flames spewing out of the supposedly abandoned Sunderland Central Police Office while a group of men, some with their faces covered, gathered around the structure.
Before, a video posted by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, displayed demonstrators smashing the windows of the building by throwing trash cans and different objects at the station.
Northumbria Police have not officially confirmed this information, but mentioned on X, previously known as Twitter, that their officers had experienced "serious violence".
The authorities stated: "The situations we are witnessing are completely unacceptable and will not be accepted. Our top priority is to keep the public safe."
It was reported that eight individuals were taken into custody and three officers were hospitalized after the violence erupted in downtown Sunderland.
The head police officer, Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, mentioned that eight individuals have been taken into custody for various crimes such as causing chaos and stealing. An in-depth inquiry is currently being carried out to uncover the identities of any other culprits involved.
"The disturbing events we saw in Sunderland tonight are totally unacceptable. I want to make it very clear that the chaos, aggression, and destruction that happened will not be accepted."
The Education Secretary and MP for Sunderland, Bridget Phillipson, criticized the disturbance in the city as "inexcusable violence and thuggish behavior".
She stated that the perpetrators of this horrible chaos need to be found, tried, and punished to the fullest extent of the legal system.
Sunderland is above this behavior and these hooligans do not reflect the true spirit of our city.
The chaos on Friday began at Keel Square in Sunderland, which had recently been renovated. The protest, named "Enough Is Enough", was held there.
Police officers were targeted with beer barrels being thrown at them while they were attempting to control hundreds of demonstrators, many of whom were dressed in riot gear.
As a helicopter passed above, a group of youthful individuals hurled rocks at law enforcement and shouted "Who owns these streets? We do!"
Police and demonstrators faced each other outside a mosque on St Mark's Road in Sunderland.
A group of protesters complained about unfair policing practices while the police formed a barrier around the mosque. Police on horseback pushed back the protesters, some of whom had covered their faces with masks.
The people in the crowd cheered for Tommy Robinson and some yelled hateful comments about Islam.
Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson called the violence "criminal hooliganism".
On a recent post on X, he expressed his shock at the chaos unravelling in downtown Sunderland. He emphasized that the actions of a small group causing trouble do not accurately reflect the true spirit of our city.
I am fully behind Northumbria Police as they deal with criminal violence and strive to keep all of our city's communities safe.
"Tomorrow, the residents of Sunderland will unite to work towards creating a promising future for all, where each neighborhood in our city thrives and feels secure."
Sir Keir Starmer has alerted police forces to be ready for more far-right protests that are expected to happen over the weekend. There have been at least 35 demonstrations promoted online, with many messages calling for action with phrases like "enough is enough" and "save our kids".
They are spreading false information on social media regarding the tragic incident that took place in Southport on Monday, resulting in the deaths of Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine.
Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old, has been accused of killing three girls in a knife attack at a dance class with a Taylor Swift theme in Southport.
On another day of the week, roughly 200 people who oppose racism came together outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool in response to hearsay about a far-right demonstration happening there.
A minor skirmish occurred between protesters when one of them crossed West Derby Road towards those protecting the Abdullah Quilliam Society mosque, prompting police intervention.
People gathered outside the mosque were shouting: "Let it be known, let it be heard, refugees are welcome here."
One guy, from a small group across the street, answered: "Are they serious!"
