Eight individuals were arrested for charges including violent disorder and burglary following a protest in Sunderland that devolved into a night of “criminal thuggery.” The unrest was sparked by the recent Southport stabbings.
During the riots, three police officers were hospitalized, with two requiring additional treatment. Officers faced projectiles and violence from several hundred protesters in Keel Square.
Sky News reported that a helicopter hovered above as young men hurled stones at the police and chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets.” Some protesters, draped in England flags, shouted anti-Islamic insults and voiced support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The march began around 7 pm and led to a standoff outside a mosque, where objects were thrown at police. Protesters complained of “two-tier policing” as officers shielded the mosque. Later, an overturned car was set ablaze in the city center, and protesters used fire extinguishers against officers.
In Liverpool, tensions escalated between protesters and counter-protesters outside a mosque, resulting in a minor altercation. Counter-protesters chanted, “Say it loud, say it clear: Refugees are welcome here.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness condemned the violence, stating, “If your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, abuse others, attack the police, and damage property, you stand for nothing except thuggery. It’s not a protest; it’s a crime and disorder. You don’t speak for Sunderland or this region.”
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron stressed that “disorder, violence, and damage will not be tolerated,” commending officers’ “unwavering commitment.” Northumbria Police also denounced the violence, emphasizing public safety, while Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson asserted that the city does not represent the troublemakers and supported the police’s efforts to restore order.
This marked the third night of violent protests in English towns and cities following the Southport attack, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls. Concerns persist over ongoing unrest, with social media posts promoting further events across the UK and planned counter-protests in response to far-right demonstrations.
