LONDON, July 31, (AP): Police clashed with an unruly crowd of far-right protesters outside a mosque Tuesday in northwest England near where three girls were fatally stabbed in a dance class as demonstrators, some in masks, hurled bottles and stones at officers, Merseyside police said.
Police said the crowd was believed to be supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right group, and the unrest was inspired by speculation about the teenage boy arrested in the stabbing that injured 10 other people, including seven who were in critical condition.
"There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets,” Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said. "We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.
Shortly after a peaceful vigil was attended by hundreds in the center of Southport to mourn the stabbing victims, the crowd near the mosque became unruly. A police van was set ablaze and sent thick dark smoke billowing into the sky. One officer suffered a broken nose.
Officers in riot gear policed the area amid chants of "No surrender!” and "English till I die!” Firecrackers exploded, sirens wailed and helicopter hovered overhead amid the chaos. Some officers appeared to have minor injuries.
A day earlier, the girls killed had taken part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on the first week of summer vacation when a person armed with a knife entered the studio and began a vicious attack, police said.
"It’s difficult to comprehend or put into words the horror of what happened,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said while briefing members of Parliament. "What should have been a joyful start to the summer turned into an unspeakable tragedy.”