A police station was set on fire and objects were thrown at officers in a night of “serious violence” in Sunderland.
Northumbria Police asked the public to avoid the city center and the North East mayor said she was “horrified” by the violent scenes – apparently in response to the Southport stabbings – unfolded on Friday night.
Drivers honked their horns as vehicles passed a gathering in Keel Square, where police had to fire projectiles as they tried to contain the group of several hundred protesters.
As a helicopter flew overhead, young people threw stones at the police and shouted “Whose streets? Our streets”.
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Some of the protesters were draped in English flags and shouts of support for Tommy Robinson could be heard.
Other members of the march, which left the square shortly before 7pm, shouted insults against Islam.
Mounted police and officers in vans followed the group as they advanced through the city – and a standoff later unfolded between police and protesters outside a mosque, where objects were thrown at officers.
Some people complained about “two-tier policing” as officers formed a protective circle around the mosque.
Later that night, an overturned car was set on fire in the city center as protesters used fire extinguishers at police officers.
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‘You don’t speak for Sunderland’
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said she was “shocked” by the scenes. She continued: “Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, abuse others, attack police and damage property, you stand for nothing but violence.
“It’s not protest. It’s crime and disorder. You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region.
“Those who mourn in Southport will not be comforted by this.”
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Meanwhile, Northumbria Police said its officers were “subjected to serious violence” and were continuing to deal with “ongoing disorder” shortly after 9pm.
“The scenes we are seeing are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” they added in a post on X. “Ensuring public safety is our highest priority.”
Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson wrote in the X: “Our city is not represented by a small minority causing problems.”
He added that police have his “full support as they respond to criminal violence and work to protect all of our city’s communities.”
Friday was the third night of violent protests in English cities this week, after the Southport attack who saw three girls stabbed to death.
There are fears the unrest could continue this weekend and Sky News has seen social media posts promoting more events in UK cities in the coming days, including one targeting a mosque.
Counter-protests are also being planned in response to far-right demonstrations.
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