BRITAIN IN FLAMES, KILLER ON THE RAMPAGE, THREE DEAD IN SENSELESS SUMMER STABBINGS, RIOTS, FIGHTS FLARE IN CITIES
By SHAMLAL PURI in London
Senior Editor – UK and Associate Publisher
A sizzling British summer day on Monday, July 29, in the tranquil seaside town of Southport, near Liverpool, 220 miles from London, north-west England, was turned into a scene of carnage when a crazed 17-year-old knifeman went on a stabbing spree, killing three little girls. The children had gone to learn dancing at a Taylor Swift-themed class and yoga workshop in Southport.
Three innocent under-ten girls who lost their lives were named Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice DaSilva Aguiar, aged nine.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds, and two adults were seriously injured, with five in critical condition. They were hospitalised; some of them have since been released, but it will take an exceptionally long time to heal their trauma.
Hours later, Britons mourning the deaths of the three girls placed flowers in the spot where they fell with poignant tributes.
The murders of three little girls and the attacks on other innocents angered many Britons.
Housewife Mary, a mother of two teenagers, said seeing these beautiful, innocent souls was heartbreaking and devastating. It must be tough for the families of these babies to understand why they lost their loved ones.”
Her friend, Charlene, said that she could not hold back her tears on hearing of these deaths. We live in England, a peaceful country, and the carnage I saw on the news resembled violent America, where killings are so common. Our thoughts go out to the families at this really tough time.”
The reason behind these killings was not immediately known, but social media was rife with misleading and misinformed speculation claims accusing immigrants and Muslims of these killings. This fuelled the ensuing riots, which the Government alleged were provoked by right-wingers.
Only the teenager who stabbed these little girls knew why he did that.
Vicky, a pensioner, said, “It’s heartbreaking; I send my sincere condolences as well as healing love to those recovering from the injuries.”
Prominent UK diaspora lawyer S Mamtora, formerly working in London and now living in South Africa, said, “The heartbreaking tragedy in Southport where three innocents, literally babies, were murdered has not only left people in the UK with shock but also in other parts of the world including South Africa where I am at the moment.
“Around the world, millions of British citizens who, despite not living in the UK, have families and friends and are in regular communications; therefore, such tragic news is not only via media but physical communication.
“During the past fourteen years, we have noticed that the Tory party blatantly destroyed the fabric of the country by allowing crime to go out of control. They have not cared nor taken any action to support the Police, who once were respected as the best in the world.
“On the contrary, instead of supporting the law enforcement agencies, Tories started their austerity plans by cutting the police force, and since then, crime has increased, and areas have become unsafe to walk.
“In the past, we used to walk from West End to North London at 2 am, which is not advisable.
“It’s deplorable what is happening in such a world-renowned country where even children are not safe.
“Returning to the tragedy of Southport, Premier Sir Keir Starmer has said the rioters will be dealt with “full force”, so we wait and see what he does.
Mr Mamtora said it has now become a habit to throw items at Police to overturn police vehicles, and one would never have imagined this happening before the Tories entered Government in 2010.
“The present Government must bring back the order; the laws exist. Judges must be given more sentencing powers to tighten the rule of law to protect people.”
He said the present situation in the UK has made the country a laughingstock of the world and that unless the Government of the day can ensure the people’s safety, the country will slide backwards.
In further developments, Merseyside Police confirmed that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice DaSilva Aguiar; 10 counts of attempted murder; and possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, July 29.
The bladed article was described as a “kitchen knife with a curved blade”.
The 17-year-old could not be named immediately for legal reasons, as he is under 18 and considered a minor. He was just a few days away from his 18th birthday on August 7.
He was remanded in custody to appear on Thursday, August 1, at Liverpool Magistrates Court.
There was a strong police presence outside the courtroom.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation, and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing Northwest (CTPNW).”
When the teenager appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged on Thursday, Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, made the ruling immediately lifted the ban on naming the accused. He is UK-born diasporan Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, whose family comes from Rwanda.
Judge Menary said: “Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation in a vacuum.
“Whilst I accept it is exceptional given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days, I do not make an order under section 45.” Prosecuting officer, arguing against naming him, said Axel Muganwa Rudakubana had an “autism spectrum disorder diagnosis” and had been “unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time.”
He will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on October 25. A provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, was scheduled for January 20, 2025.
Until these proceedings have been completed, he will be remanded into youth detention.
The public’s anger spread like wildfire. People became violent and attacked the Police in Southport with bricks, bottles and beer cans.
Police cars were torched, and public property was destroyed as protesters demolished garden walls to pull out bricks to hit police officers in the mindless violence.
Merseyside Police confirmed 22 officers were injured following violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday evening, July 30. Of those, eight sustained severe injuries, including fractures, lacerations, a suspected broken nose and concussion.
Other officers suffered varying degrees of injury, including head injuries and severe facial injuries, and one was knocked unconscious.
The protestors also set cars belonging to members of the public alight, threw bricks at the local Mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.
Three police dogs, which are used to ensure public order and safety, were injured. Police Dogs Zoe and Ike have sustained leg injuries from bricks thrown at them.
A third dog, PD Quga, who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender at the beginning of this month, has tonight suffered burns to her back leg.
Following the disorder, a 24-hour Section 60 Order was introduced in the area, and extra officers remained there to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
Under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the order gives officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.
A Section 34 Order was introduced under the Antisocial Behaviour & Policing Act 2014, giving officers powers to direct people engaging in antisocial behaviour or likely to become involved in such incidents.
These powers will not be used for anyone visiting the area and doing daily business.
Officers can seize any item, including vehicles, used in the commission of antisocial behaviour.
A person who has previously been directed to leave returned may ultimately be arrested.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: “Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport, and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers. Many had finished a full shift but returned to duty to support their colleagues who had displayed courage under constant and sustained attack.
“I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police, who also provided mutual aid and support.
“Sadly, offenders have destroyed garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers and have set cars belonging to the public on fire and damaged cars parked in the Mosque car park.
“This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday.”
The stabbings provoked Britons so much that they took to the streets in several cities, including London, to vent their anger, whipping a frenzy and putting Police under siege pelting bottles at them.
There were several nights of violent protests across Britain.
The Government accused right-wingers of travelling from other areas to fuel the riots, causing severe damage to property and threat to life.
Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer, who visited Southport and the scene of the stabbings, vowed to take stern action against the right-wing rioters.
For the new Prime Minister, who took office on July 5, the riots were a baptism of fire and a wake-up call on running Britain in 2024.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “Criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery”.
Even though the killer was nabbed and taken to court, people’s anger did not subside.
Riots flared up in several British cities, including London, Manchester, Hartlepool, Southend-on-Sea, and Liverpool.
There was disorder in Manchester broke out following the Southport mass stabbing, Police have said. About 100 demonstrators gathered on Wednesday outside a prominent hotel in Newton Heath, which was being used to house asylum seekers and protesting children were seen wearing balaclavas.
Manchester Councillor John Flanagan wrote on social media to respond to the violence, calling those involved in the “sickening” incident as “mindless idiots”.
The mayor of Greater Manchester has cautioned against “mob rule” inspired by “half-truths” on social media.
Two men were arrested in Manchester after objects were thrown at the public and Police in the disturbance in Oldham Road, Newton Heath, on Wednesday.
Greater Manchester Police said their “early intervention” meant there was not “any serious injury or damage”.
Andy Burnham said people were entitled to peaceful protest but added the city region was “better than this”, according to the local media.
In Hartlepool, an 11-year-old schoolboy was arrested on suspicion of arson after a police car was set on fire, according to Cleveland Police.
Seven men were charged with violent disorder in Hartlepool town, including a man of 42, for beating an emergency worker. Another man, 28, was charged with various offences, including carrying an offensive weapon in public and violent disorder.
In Sunderland, a police officer was attacked, and the property next to it was set alight as stores closed in the city with the Police patrolling during a demonstration against Southport stabbings.
Beer cans and stones were thrown at Police in riot gear outside a mosque in the city.
Northumbria Police said its officers had been “subjected to serious violence.”
Scores of people were arrested in London as further protests took place after the Southport stabbings.
On Wednesday, a large protest was staged under Enough is Enough, with arrests made after demonstrators clashed with officers in Whitehall, close to Downing Street.
The Metropolitan police said: “Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Demonstrators were seen launching beer cans and glass bottles at a line of Police in riot gear in front of Downing Street and throwing flares onto the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.
The angry scenes also included loud chants of “We want our country back”.
Some of those present were shouting anti-immigrant slogans in these protests.
This caused a lot of friction between the communities, and white Britons turning to social media were abusive towards migrants.
Britain remained alert as further demonstrations were planned in London and elsewhere.
Repairing the destroyed fabric of community relations will take a long time.
Similar Posts by Shamlal Puri:
- WORLD KISWAHILI DAY MARKED IN LONDON WITH THE BEATS OF DRUMS AND FANFARE
- Remembering Eternal Light Of Nairobi’s Poets: Vijay ‘Arun’ Puri
- NOSTALGIC SHINYANGA VETERANS MEET IN LONDON, SHARE MEMORIES OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN TANZANIA
- Europe’s biggest street party attracts a million as communities step out to build bridges after 2024 riots:
- Shattered lives as gang warfare and street stabbing sprees in UK create safety fears: