Anti-racism sweeps UK after far-right riots Thousands of police and anti-racist protesters gathered across Britain after more than a week of violent Islamophobic attacks following social media misinformation over a Southport knife attack nti-racism protests, Aug 7 Middlesbrough Newcastle Accrington Birmingham Sheffield Southampton Southend Brighton London Bristol Southport Jul 29: Three girls (from left) Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Bebe King, 6, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9 are fatally stabbed in Southport. Eight other children and two adults are injured. Police detain 17-year-old suspect at scene Jul 30: Website Channel3Now gives false name for Southport attacker, claiming he is an asylum seeker. This, combined with untrue claims from other sources that attacker is Muslim, leads to 300 rioters, linked to English Defence League, attacking local mosque Jul 31: Rioters attack Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers in Manchester. Violence spreads to Hartlepool, Bristol and London, leading to over 100 arrests Aug 1: Authorities identify underage suspect in bid to stop rumours Aug 2-6: Far-right riots erupt in Sunderland, Liverpool, Hull, Belfast, Middlesbrough and Rotherham – where Holiday Inn Express, used to house asylum seekers, suffers attack. Further escalations occur in Bolton and Greater Manchester Aug 7: Upswell of peaceful public support to some 6,000 riot officers in many towns and cities outnumber planned 100 far-right demonstrations Aug 8: Ten more suspect rioters arrested in London following violent disorder outside Downing Street on July 31 Sir Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Commissioner: “The show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges.” 600 additional prison places made available for rioters Who is responsible? In eyes of British public, rioters themselves and social media to blame for unrest Great deal of responsibility Fair amount of responsibility Not much responsibility No responsibility Those taking part in the unrest themselves Responsible: 88% Don’t know Social media Responsible: 86% Don’t know YouGov survey of 2,114 UK adults, Aug 5, 6, 2024 Sources: Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, YouGov Pictures: Carl Court/Jeff Moore/Getty Images,, Mersyside Police © GRAPHIC NEWS