Riots break out in British city after Portuguese girl and two classmates were stabbed to death

The streets of Southport, the UK town where three children were killed and nine injured in a knife attack, were the scene of violent protests on Tuesday. Riot police were called in as the unrest intensified, according to British media. There are reports of officers being injured.

According to the newspaper Independent, Bricks, bottles and rubbish containers were thrown at the mosque and the police officers stationed there, and at least one government van was set on fire during the operations.

“There has been a lot of speculation and assumption around the status of the 17-year-old who is currently in police custody and some people are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets,” said Alex Goss, assistant chief constable of Merseyside Police.

The Liverpool Region Mosque Network has issued a statement rejecting attempts to blame the attack on the Muslim community.

“A minority of people are trying to make us believe that this inhumane act is somehow linked to the Muslim community. Frankly, it is not, and we cannot allow those who seek to divide us and spread hatred to use this as an opportunity.” you can read.

The three girls killed in the tragic knife attack have been identified as Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Aguiar, a nine-year-old Portuguese girl.

Alice was taken to hospital after being attacked but eventually died from her injuries. The Portuguese government has already mourned the child’s death.

The suspect in the Southport knife attack is 17 and originally from Cardiff but lives in Banks, a village near the scene of the attack. The young man has been detained by authorities and the knife used in the attack has been confiscated.