Protesters hurl bricks and bottles at police in Southport in ugly scenes as right-wing demonstrators throw flares towards Downing Street and a statue of Winston Churchill, clashing with riot police in the second night of unrest. A few hundred protesters joined the “Enough is Enough” march in Whitehall, chanting “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats” in defiance of strict Metropolitan Police conditions on the protest. Merseyside Police made four arrests after violent disorder broke out in Southport, with far-right protesters throwing bricks and bottles outside a mosque, accusing individuals from outside the area of using lies and disinformation to incite violence.
Southport protests latest: Far right mob throw flares towards Downing Street and clash with riot police
Protesters hurl bricks and bottles at police in Southport in ugly scenes
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Right-wing demonstrators have thrown flares towards Downing Street and a statue of Winston Churchill as they clash with riot police in the second night of unrest.
A few hundred protesters joined the “Enough is Enough” march in Whitehall on Wednesday evening in the wake of the tragic knife attack and subsequent riots in Southport.
The crowd were heard chanting “Rule Britannia”, “save our kids” and “stop the boats” as they attempted to leave the pavement opposite Downing Street in defiance of strict Metropolitan Police conditions on the protest.
It comes after Merseyside Police made four arrests after violent disorder broke out on the streets of Southport last night, with far-right protesters throwing bricks and bottles outside a mosque.
Police accused individuals who do not live in Merseyside or care about its people for using lies and disinformation around the identity of the knifeman in Monday’s attack “to bring violence and disorder to our streets”.
A 17-year-old who is from Lancashire and was born in Cardiff but has not been named because of his age, remains in custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk
Key Points
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Helicopter seen over Whitehall as protest continues
A helicopter has been seen hovering over tonight’s right-wing protest in Whitehall.
The Independent’s Holly Evans is at the scene and said there is lots of angry shouting as another police line is formed, with several chanting Tommy Robinson’s name.
The crowd has signifcantly lessened however but small pockets of violence have continued to break out
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:37
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Watch: Flares set off on Churchill statue as protesters clash with riot police near Downing Street
Flares set off on Churchill statue as protesters clash with riot police near Downing Street
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:26
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Police form second line
Police are now forming a second line outside the Cabinet Office after a group of protesters dashed out and made their way past the Women of World War II statue.
Lots of jeering and shouts of ‘traitors’ to the officers, as well as chants of ‘how many kids’.
A group of tourists, who appear to have been caught in the middle have been ushered to one side with the young daughter crying ‘mum what’s going on’
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:23
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Pictured: Riot police arrest right-wing protesters
A number of people now being arrested, with one man shouting: “how can you arrest me? I love this country, how can you arrest me?”
(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:16
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More than a dozen detained
More than a dozen protesters have been detained by police on Whitehall.
Officers led many of the men away in handcuffs.
A police helicopter is flying over Downing Street amid the unrest.
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:09
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Flares and smashed glass heard at protest
Riot police have gotten themselves ready after a scuffle broke out, with flares being set off to loud cheers.
Chants of ‘how many kids’ and ‘tommy robinson’ are being repeated. Another fight has since broken out with smashed glass heard.
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:08
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Police and protesters fall to ground
The Independent’s Holly Evans reports from Whitehall:
A number of people have now been detained by the police, with one group of protesters and police falling to the ground.
Several protesters, some who have travelled as far as Swindon, can be heard chanting ‘traitors’ at the police, while another pocket can be heard shouting ‘Tommy Tommy Robinson’.
A large police presence including a helicopter are surrounding Downing Street, with empty beer cans already littering the floor.
(The Independent)
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:08
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More pictures from Whitehall
(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 20:01
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Demonstration escalating
Our reporter Holly Evans is at the scene where the demonstration is growing increasingly tense.
Two men have just been detained as the crowd chants “freedom” while some hold England flags by the Cenotaph.
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 19:58
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Police detain protester
Police detained a man wearing a balaclava near Downing Street. Officers wrestled the man off the road and onto the pavement.
Beer cans and glass bottles are being launched at a line of police in riot gear who have assembled to block Whitehall in front of Downing Street.
Other protesters have attempted to kick down a fence and were confronted by riot police.
Athena Stavrou31 July 2024 19:54
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/southport-stabbing-protests-riot-latest-suspect-police-victim-b2589133.html