Key Points
- The parents of a murdered girl urged an end to UK riots triggered by false online claims.
- Over 900 arrests followed riots sparked by misinformation.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence as “far-right thuggery”.
Days of riots followed in Southport and in towns and cities across the United Kingdom, triggered by false online posts wrongly identifying the suspected killer as an Islamist migrant.
“You have shown great courage in asking me to be here today … to give a message from you, Alice’s family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter,” Merseyside chief constable Serena Kennedy said.
Bebe King (left), Elsie Dot Stancombe (centre) and Alice da Silva Aguiar (right) died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Source: Getty / Merseyside Police
“I am ashamed, and I’m so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter Alice.
More than 900 people have been arrested and 466 charged with offences over the disorder, mainly targeted at migrants and Muslims, with dozens already sentenced and jailed as cases are fast-tracked through the courts.
Paramedics stand outside St Patrick’s Church, Southport, following the funeral of stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar. The area’s police chief told the congregation that her grieving parents had asked her to deliver a public appeal for calm. Source: AAP / Danny Lawson/PA
Police and politicians believe the speedy, tough response from the authorities combined with thousands attending counter-protests since Wednesday have deterred people from taking part in further protests, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced as “far-right thuggery”.
Justice minister Shabana Mahmood said the impact on the already stretched judicial system would be felt for years to come.
“We will never get over this pain, but we promise to get all the answers. Mummy has seen too much, and we need to know. We feel shocked, unimaginable pain. We miss you … For now our beloved angel, keep dancing. Mommy and daddy will always, always love you.”
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he had written to the Association of British Insurers to ensure that payouts to shops damaged by rioting were made swiftly.