Violent crowds clash with riot cops and set police vans on fire outside mosque near scene of horror Southport stabbing
POLICE are fighting a mob of hundreds of protestors outside a mosque in Southport near the scene of the horror stabbing.
Large crowds were seen clashing with officers as police vans were set ablaze in Merseyside after three children were killed in a sickening knife rampage yesterday.
Shocking footage from the scene has shown bricks being thrown at police vans and other projectiles flying through the air.
Riot police wearing helmets and carrying large shields are standing guard as chaos outside the mosque in Southport continues.
Protestors in the crowd can be heard shouting, as police sirens sound and a helicopter flies overhead.
Some of the yobs have even climbed on top of a building and are throwing rocks down at police
Bottles and wheelie bins have also been thrown at officers responding to the incident.
One officer has suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles have been set alight, said the force.
The violence appears to be linked to several false accusations spread online, with incorrect names of the 17-year-old boy that has been arrested shared on social media.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss says: “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.
“We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.
“It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives.”
It comes after hundreds of people rallied together in solidarity outside The Aktinson art gallery in Merseyside to pay their respects earlier this evening.
Some lit candles while others lay flowers and reflected on yesterday’s tragedy.