Disorder erupted Tuesday night outside a mosque in Southport, UK, following a knife attack that left three girls dead in the Merseyside town.
A police van was set on fire, and officers were injured during the chaos.
A group of masked men in hoodies clashed with officers, chanting “English till I die” before violence ensued.
Police suspect the men are affiliated with the far-right English Defence League.
The disorder comes after the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper urged social media users not to spread “false information” about Monday’s attack or the suspect online.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested for the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event. Police have not confirmed his identity due to his age but have said he was born in the UK.
There is no suggestion he is a Muslim.
Merseyside Police has said a large group of people began throwing objects at the mosque on St Luke’s Road at around 7.45 pm this evening.
Officers later put on helmets and riot gear as bottles and wheelie bins were thrown at them.
A police officer suffered a broken nose, others have minor injuries and one of the force’s vans was set on fire.
The force said additional patrols were later sent to the scene including a dog unit.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said that many of the people involved in tonight’s violence do not live in Merseyside or care about the people who live in the county, says Sky News.
He added, “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.
“Our officers should not have to face this, but we will be there tonight to ensure the safety of the local community who have suffered enough, and will arrest those involved in criminal behaviour.”
The situation outside the mosque appeared to have calmed down as dark descended, with numbers on the street having thinned.
Ms Cooper said it was “appalling” police officers in Southport were facing attacks from “thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community”, adding: “It’s a total disgrace”.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said, “I am incredibly proud of my officers and staff who have worked so hard to save the lives of children, investigate the horrific incident from yesterday, working with partners to provide reassurance to our communities and now they are facing this level of violence from these thugs.”
Police were called to a premises on Hart Street in Southport shortly before midday on Monday after 11 children and two adults were stabbed.
Three of the children later died and have been named as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
