Violent clashes erupt between UK police and rioters after fatal stabbing at dance event

The U.K. has been rocked by violence as unrest incited by extreme right-wing factions has taken hold of various cities throughout the nation, resulting in nearly 150 apprehensions, as per authorities.

The chaos originated from anti-Muslim and anti-migrant disturbances on Saturday orchestrated by far-right organizations looking to capitalize on the stabbing incident that claimed the lives of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed social gathering on July 29 in Southport, a coastal town approximately 20 miles north of Liverpool, officials reported.

The demonstrations that swiftly turned aggressive have been incited by false information spread online by conservative pundits wrongly asserting that the perpetrator in the stabbing was an illegal Muslim immigrant.

Since Friday, the riots have impacted most major northern cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Sunderland, but also Bristol in the southern part of England, and Belfast in Northern Ireland, marking the most severe outbreak of civil unrest in over a decade. Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the U.K. on Sunday denounced the violence as “far-right thuggery,” promising swift prosecution for those implicated.

Hundreds of radical protesters have clashed with law enforcement and set ablaze mosques and shops, with numerous masked individuals rampaging through urban centers.

In Rotherham, a town in northern England, a mob of hundreds attacked a hotel housing refugees. The rioters assaulted police guarding the hotel, smashing windows and attempting to ignite fires. South Yorkshire Police reported that at least 10 officers were wounded, denouncing the violence as “deplorable.”

“We completely condemn the disorderly scenes we observed, with an estimated 700 individuals involved,” added the police.

Several minor fires were ignited, but according to officials, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services “acted swiftly to extinguish them.”

Law enforcement anticipated a strong presence to be maintained outside the hotel and its vicinity throughout Sunday evening and into Monday, as per the police.

South of Rotherham, another hotel in Tamworth, England, was targeted by rioters. Authorities in the area urged the public to steer clear while efforts were made to manage the situation. One officer was injured, stated the police on Sunday night.

“We’re urging members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn, Tamworth, as specialist officers continue to deal with violent acts of thuggery,” said Tamworth Police in an update Sunday evening local time.