UK Faces Worst Violent Riots in 13 Years, 400 Arrested in 6 Days
Violent riots erupted across the UK following a tragic knife attack on children, leading to widespread arrests and heightened security measures.
The United Kingdom is facing its worst riots in 13 years, with over 400 people arrested in the past six days.
It all started on July 29, 2024, when three young girls, aged 6, 7, and 9, were stabbed to death. Two adults and eight other children were critically injured in a knife attack during an event at a children’s yoga and dance school in Southport, England.
The incident shocked the entire UK. People expressed sorrow and disbelief, questioning why anyone would target children.
Later that day, the UK police arrested a 17-year-old boy near the crime scene on “suspicion of murder and attempted murder.” Despite the arrest, the police did not reveal the boy’s identity or motive.
Rumors quickly spread on social media that the attacker was a Muslim immigrant.
On July 30, locals held a vigil for the victims. However, a group of angry people disrupted the vigil, clashing violently with the police. They threw bricks at a local mosque, set cars and police vehicles on fire, and hurled bottles at officers.
Around 40 police officers were severely injured, and two police dogs were hurt.
The police believe the angry mob included supporters of the “English Defence League” (EDL), a far-right, anti-immigrant organization in England.
The UK police announced that the arrested boy, Axel Rudakubana, was a UK citizen from Cardiff, Wales. Axel’s lawyers claimed he had been diagnosed with autism. Neighbors described him as a quiet, shy boy who loved singing.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) paid tribute to the victims and stated that the tragedy was exploited to spark outrage. They said misinformation from a Russian news site wrongly associated the crime with Muslims.
Despite statements from the police and the MCB, the situation did not calm down.
Violent anti-immigrant riots broke out throughout Britain, mainly in parts of London and Ireland, from August 2 to August 4.
Far-right supporters organized “peaceful” anti-immigration protests via social media and messaging platforms. However, these marches quickly turned violent.
Mobs vandalized, smashed windows, and set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers. Many tourists and staff members were trapped and terrified until rescued.
The mobs also damaged public buildings, clashed with the police, and attacked people of different skin colors.
The UK’s Home Office provided special protection to mosques and announced that police and local authorities could ask for extra security at any time.
Prime Minister Starmer said, “This is not a protest…It is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets, or online.”
On August 5, PM Starmer chaired an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the response strategy against the riots.
On August 6, the High Commission of India in London issued a travel advisory urging Indians to be vigilant while traveling to the UK and to avoid areas where protests are underway.
Later that day, PM Starmer assured that immigrant and other religious communities “will be safe” and promised that the culprits would “feel the full force of the law before the end of this week.”
