A Southport rioter was wheeled away in agony after being hit in the head with a brick by fellow protesters, before being hit again in the crotch as he tried to escape.
The protester, wearing a grey tracksuit, was filmed walking flamboyantly towards an army of police officers holding riot shields before putting his hands on his hips and posing.
But when he tried to provoke the officers, he nearly fell to the ground when a giant brick crashed into his face and the back of his head at the same time.
A flying brick bounced off a riot shield and hit him in the face, while another struck him in the back of the neck.
As he tried to walk away rubbing the back of his neck, a third brick hit him in the crotch. Shouts of “fuck you guys” could be heard as two other rioters tried to help him out of the crowd.
Rioters had taken to the streets just an hour after thousands of people gathered for a 6pm vigil to remember the three girls who lost their lives during the horrific Southport attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday.
The protester was filmed walking extravagantly towards an army of riot police officers before putting his hands on his hips and posing.
He was then hit in the face and back of the head with a brick, when one bounced off a riot shield and another hit him from behind.
The protester tried to walk away while clutching the back of his neck amid the violence.
But as he walked away, another brick hit him, this time where it really hurt…
Another protester tried to check on him after seeing him hit by several bricks.
The three girls were identified by police yesterday as six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
Just metres from the emotional vigil, a 32-year-old man was arrested separately after being caught carrying a switchblade on Eastbank Street at 6.55pm
On nearby St Luke’s Street, a crowd of men surrounded the Southport Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre and began throwing debris at police officers who had formed a protective line around the building.
The thugs, many of them wearing masks and hoodies, were seen attacking the Muslim place of worship at around 7.45pm, even smashing windows, after police issued a warning about an “incorrect” name for the suspected attacker circulating widely online.
A 17-year-old boy, originally from Cardiff but from the nearby village of Banks in Lancashire, remains in custody charged with murder and attempted murder.
The violence appears to have been fuelled by false online claims that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.
Merseyside Police said: “We urge people not to speculate on the details of the incident while the investigation is ongoing.”
Local mosque groups condemned the violence directed against Muslims, adding:We must not allow those who seek to divide us and spread hate to use this as an opportunity.
Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after rioting broke out in Southport
A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday night as riots broke out.
A masked man throws a traffic cone at a police officer near a mosque in Southport
A police van was set on fire near a mosque in Southport as shocking riots broke out on Tuesday
Merseyside Police confirmed that 22 officers were injured following the violent disorder.
They said eight suffered serious injuries, including fractures, lacerations, suspected broken nose and concussion.
The force said other police officers suffered head injuries, serious facial injuries and one was even left unconscious.
Protesters also set fire to cars and garbage bins belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at the local mosque and damaged a local convenience store.
Three police dogs were also injured. Police dogs Zoe and Ike suffered injuries to their paws from bricks thrown at them.
A third dog, PD Quga, who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender earlier this month, suffered burns on his hind leg.
Police have introduced a 24-hour Section 60 order in the area and additional officers will remain in the area to provide a visible presence to reassure communities.
The three girls stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class were identified by police yesterday as nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and six-year-old Bebe King (from left).
On Monday, three girls were killed in a bloody shooting on Hart Street. On Tuesday, a vigil was held in memory of the victims on Lord Street. While the vigil was taking place, a man with a switchblade was arrested on Eastbank Street. On St Luke’s Road, riots broke out outside a mosque, also on Tuesday.
The Order, under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers greater stop and search powers to detain people in the area and is designed to minimise serious violence.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss said: ‘Tonight Merseyside Police has been confronted with serious violence in Southport and I am very proud to have witnessed off-duty officers – many of whom had not long since finished a full shift – march back to duty to support their colleagues who had shown such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.
‘I would also like to thank officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police, Lancashire Police and North Wales Police who also provided mutual help and support.
‘Unfortunately, the attackers destroyed the garden walls so they could use the bricks to attack our officers, set fire to public cars and damaged cars parked in the mosque car park.
‘This is no way to treat a community, let alone a community still reeling from Monday’s events.
We are appealing to anyone with information or images of those involved in this shocking behaviour to come forward so that we can identify and arrest those responsible.
‘Anyone with information is asked to direct message @MerPolCC or contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.’
The Prime Minister said rioters in Southport had “hijacked” a vigil for the victims and would “feel the full weight of the law”.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Sir Keir said: ‘The people of Southport are in shock following the horror inflicted on them yesterday.
“They deserve our support and respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and brutality have insulted the grieving community.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the riot outside a mosque in Southport as “violent attacks by thugs in the streets”, which she described as “appalling”.
Ms Cooper told reporters she saw a community “coming together” during her visit to Southport on Tuesday and thanked police for their “heroism”.
Ms Cooper added: “That’s why it’s so appalling to now see those same police officers facing violent attacks on the streets by thugs who have no respect for a grieving community.
“It’s a total disgrace. Frankly, this is a time when everyone should show respect for a community and for the police.”