Southport riots: Victim’s mother appeals to rioters | UK | News
The mother of a child killed in the Southport knife attack has issued a heartfelt plea to “stop the violence” after chaotic scenes in the town last night.
Jenni Stancombe, mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, made her emotional appeal on social media.
Her daughter was one of the victims of the horrific attack that happened Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party. Other victims included Alice Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6. Two adults and five other children remain in critical condition in hospital.
As Southport struggles to come to terms with the tragedy, hundreds of people gathered in the town centre last night for a vigil which was respectfully observed. However, trouble broke out nearby and police were called to a protest outside a mosque on St Luke’s Road.
In a widely shared message on social media, Jenni Stancombe wrote: “This is the only thing I will write but please stop the violence in Southport tonight.”
Ms Stancombe also praised the police, saying: “The police have been nothing but heroic in the last 24 hours and neither they nor we need that.”
Dozens of police officers were injured and a major incident was declared, with bricks being removed from the garden walls and used to attack officers, and cars belonging to members of the public being set alight.
Eight officers were seriously injured, including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion. Other officers suffered head and facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious.
The violence erupted when a large group of people, believed by police to be English Defence League supporters, began throwing objects at the local mosque on St Luke’s Road on Tuesday evening.
Cars belonging to citizens were set on fire, bricks were thrown at the mosque and a convenience store was damaged. Wheelie bins were also set on fire and three police dogs were injured. Photos and videos shared online show numerous groups throwing stones at police officers, climbing on police vans and attempting to break the windows of vehicles.
The violence was also widely condemned by authorities.
Last night, Merseyside Police Deputy Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “This evening Merseyside Police faced serious violence in Southport and I was very proud to see off-duty officers (many of whom had not completed their full shift for a long time) marching back to duty to support their colleagues who have shown such courage while under constant and ongoing attack. I would also like to thank the officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who have also provided mutual assistance and support.
“Unfortunately, the offenders destroyed the garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and set fire to cars belonging to the public and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The people of Southport are in shock after the horror that was inflicted on them yesterday. They deserve our support and respect. Those who hijacked the victims’ wake through violence and brutality have insulted the grieving community. They will face the full force of the law.”
Southport MP Patrick Hurley also condemned the “drunken thugs” who threw bricks at a mosque.
“Even if this 17-year-old boy turns out to be a Muslim, that in no way justifies an attack on a mosque by anyone,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“This includes those drunken thugs who came into town last night with the intention of causing trouble. We must all stand against this and Southport will not stand for it. Southport will unite against this sort of thing.”
