Protesters wearing t-shirts with the faces of the three girls who were stabbed to death in the Southport knife rampage have descended on London amid fears more riots could break out tonight.
The Metropolitan Police has deployed officers to a planned protest on Whitehall as tensions continue to grow following the stabbing frenzy at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday.
Tributes have poured in for the three girls killed who police yesterday named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath. Five are in a critical condition, alongside two women who were also critically injured as they bravely tried to save the children.
A 17-year-old boy, originally from Cardiff but living in nearby Banks, remains in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. False speculation online that he was an asylum seeker who had travelled to the UK on a boat appeared to fuel the riots outside a mosque in Southport last night.
Southport locals – including Elsie’s mother – have called for the violence to stop after police vans were torched and bricks were hurled in violence that left 53 officers injured.
Activists, some carrying cans of Stella Artois, are now staging a demonstration outside Downing Street, with some waving a Union Jack flag banner with the words: ‘Enough is enough. Stop the boats.’
Police vans were seen protecting The Cenotaph war memorial, where clashes have previously broken out.
Protesters hold a Union Jack banner which says: ‘Enough is enough. Stop the boats.’
Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest against illegal immigration outside of Downing Stree
Hundreds of protesters gather on Whitehall – days after the Southport knife rampage
Protesters hold a minutes’ silence during the ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration on Whitehall
Protesters drinking Stella Artois march through the capital on Wednesday night
Some were seen lighting red flares as they chanted down Whitehall on Wednesday
Police vans are protecting the Cenotaph on Whitehall amid fears violence could break out
Protesters were seen wearing t-shirts with the faces of the three Southport victims on
Southport locals have called on rioters to leave their town after Tuesday night’s violence
England flags are on display as protesters gather for a demonstration in Whitehall
People assemble at the start of the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Whitehall
Some activists were seen carrying cans of Stella Artois as the protest got underway
Some activists were wearing red caps which said ‘Make Britain Great Again’ – a reference to Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ movement
Others wore t-shirts calling for English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson to be Home Secretary and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to be Prime Minister
Some activists were wearing red caps which said ‘Make Britain Great Again’ – a reference to Donald Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ movement.
Others wore t-shirts calling for English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson to be Home Secretary and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to be Prime Minister.
Many protesters were draped in England flags and drinking booze as the Enough Is Enough protest got underway.
The Metropolitan Police has said demonstrators taking part have to stay within a certain area and must leave at 8.30pm.
The event was promoted by actor Laurence Fox on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.
Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who is leading the policing of the protest, said: ‘Following the tragic events in Southport, it is understandable the public have strong feelings about this shocking incident – but the subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation.
‘Everyone has a right to protest and we continue to balance the right to lawful protest with everyone’s right to go about their lives without fear or serious disruption – which is why we have put conditions in place and deployed more officers across London.
‘We are speaking to the protest organisers as well as local community groups, businesses and religious leaders, in particular the Muslim community who have been impacted by this week’s disorder in Southport.
‘I urge everyone to exercise their right to protest calmly and within the law. Any disorder will be dealt with swiftly.’
Many protesters were seen draped in England flags as the protest got underway
People assemble at the start of the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest in Whitehall, London
Some protesters were seen in England football shirts chanting outside Downing Street
A protester wearing a Union Jack t-shirt and holding an England flag on Whitehall
SOUTHPORT: Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on Tuesday night
SOUTHPORT: A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday evening as riots broke out
SOUTHPORT: Protesters cheer as they launch bins at riot police vans amid ugly scenes on Tuesday
