UK police brace for planned far-right protests

LONDON: UK police geared up on Friday for possible further far-right protests this weekend following several violent skirmishes in the wake of a mass stabbing that killed three young girls.

Security was being strengthened at hundreds of mosques across the country amid fears that the places of worship may be targeted by anti-Islamic demonstrators, Muslim leaders said.

Disorder blamed on extreme-right agitators broke out in several English cities this week after Monday´s knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport, in the northwest.

The disturbances were fuelled by misinformation online about 17-year-old suspect Axel Rudakubana who has been charged with murder and attempted murder over the stabbing rampage that has shocked Britain.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused “thugs” of “hijacking” the nation´s grief to “sow hatred” and pledged that anyone carrying out violent acts will “face the full force of the law”.

Several demonstrations are planned for the coming days, with some protests advertised online with the banner “enough is enough” and calling for participants to bring England flags.

Merseyside Police, responsible for Southport, said it was aware of potential future protests there and that “extensive plans and considerable police resources” were in place to deal with them.