Violent crowds clash with riot cops and set police vans on fire outside mosque near scene of horror Southport stabbing

POLICE are fighting a mob of hundreds of protestors outside a mosque in Southport near the scene of the horror stabbing.

Large crowds were seen clashing with officers as police vans were set ablaze in Merseyside after three children were killed in a sickening knife rampage yesterday.

Police vans were set ablaze during chaotic scenes in Southport

Cops stood guard with riot shields as a police van was set ablaze

Trouble flares during a protest in Southport, after three children died yesterday

Cops urge protestors back as the violence escalates

Shocking footage from the scene showed bottles and bricks being thrown at police vans as other projectiles hurtled through the air.

Merseyside Police said that the English Defence League is believed to be behind the violent protests.

Riot police wearing helmets and carrying large shields huddled together as chaos outside the mosque in Southport continues.

More than one police vehicle was set alight, with thick smoke billowing into the balmy air.

It comes as tensions run high in the town following yesterday’s stabbing attack, in which three children were killed while attending a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop in Southport on Monday lunchtime.

Protestors in the crowd can be heard shouting, as police sirens sound and a helicopter flies overhead.

Some of the yobs have even climbed on top of a building and are throwing rocks down at police

Bottles and wheelie bins have also been thrown at officers responding to the incident.

Riot police and dogs units have been deployed to bring the crowd under control, after officers sustained injuries including one with a suspected broken nose.

The force have now cleared the area directly outside the mosque and are standing guard with their batons raised.

The violence appears to be linked to several false accusations spread online, with incorrect names of the 17-year-old boy that has been arrested shared on social media.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss says: "There has been much speculation and hypothesis around the status of a 17-year-old male who is currently in police custody, and some individuals are using this to bring violence and disorder to our streets.

"We have already said that the person arrested was born in the UK and speculation helps nobody at this time.

"It is sickening to see this happening within a community that has been devastated by the tragic loss of three young lives."

The MP for Southport says he is "deeply concerned" by the violent protests taking place this evening, and has urged people to "stay safe".

In a statement on X, Patrick Hurley says he "fully condemns any attack" on emergency services, pointing out that these are the same services that responded to the tragic stabbing attack yesterday.

"It's distressing to see people from outside our Southport community attacking our police and local people," he adds.

"I appeal to local people to avoid the area and stay safe, to allow the police to do their job. I want to thank our community for pulling together and supporting every person who has been affected by Monday's tragic attack."

He also thanks those who attended a vigil earlier this evening to remember the three children - Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar - who were killed in the attack, and the 10 other people who were injured.

"I was deeply saddened to hear the news today of the death of a third child. Bebe, Elsie and Alice are in all of our thoughts and hearts today," he adds.