Police officers injured and car set on fire in Sunderland unrest
A police office building was attacked, and the adjacent property was set on fire during clashes between rioters and police in Sunderland.
According to Northumbria Police, three officers were hospitalized, and eight people were arrested.
Beer cans and stones were thrown at police officers in riot gear outside a mosque, and at least one car was set alight during the disorder on Friday night.
Unrest has erupted in towns and cities across England following the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.
Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron stated that officers faced “serious and sustained” levels of violence, which she described as “utterly deplorable.”
She emphasized that a full investigation is underway to identify those responsible for any criminal behavior.
“I want to make it clear that the disorder, violence, and damage which has occurred will not be tolerated,” added Chief Superintendent Barron.
Of the three injured police officers, one has been discharged, while two remain in the hospital for further treatment.
Some members of the crowd were heard shouting Islamophobic slurs and chanting in support of far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.
Yaxley-Lennon’s X account has spread false claims that the alleged Southport attacker was an asylum seeker who had recently arrived in the UK by boat.
Mounted police were deployed to Sunderland’s city center to push back demonstrators, some of whom were wearing masks.
Officers also had beer barrels thrown at them, as young men shouted: “Whose streets? Our streets”.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said criminals attacking the police would “pay the price for their violence and thuggery”.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it had been called out to the fire near the Sunderland Central Police office.
Rail and bus services were halted with Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus saying it had been asked by British Transport Police to close Sunderland Rail Station at around 22:15 BST.
The Omniplex cinema in the city was also forced to close during the evening in the interest of public and staff safety, it said.
Residents said they could still hear police helicopters in the sky past midnight.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she was “appalled” by the scenes in Sunderland.
“Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery,” she said.
“You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region.”
Sunderland AFC posted on social media: “Tonight’s shameful scenes do not represent our culture, our history, or our people.
“Our great city is built on togetherness and acceptance, and Sunderland will forever be for all. We are stronger as one community.”
Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson said the police had his full support in response to the criminal “thuggery”.
A crowd of about 200 anti-racist protesters also gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool on Friday night after rumors of a far-right protest there.
The group chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said extra prosecutors had been called into work this weekend to deal with the disorder.
“We have deployed dozens of extra prosecutors who are working round the clock this weekend, supporting the police, and ready to make immediate charging decisions so that justice is swiftly delivered,” he said.
Towns and cities including London, Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot have seen protests descend into violence following the Southport knife attack.
In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a new national violent disorder program to help clamp down on violent groups by allowing police forces to share intelligence.
In a televised speech on Thursday, Sir Keir said: “These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community, and we must have a police response that can do the same.”
He also condemned “violent disorder, clearly whipped up online”.
