Featured Image Credit: Merseyside Police
Topics: Crime, News, UK News, Politics, Keir Starmer
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Crime, News, UK News, Politics, Keir Starmer
Warning: This article contains discussion of racial discrimination which some readers may find distressing.
Police have released images of several men they are trying to track down in relation to violent far-right race riots.
Nearly 400 people have been arrested after six days of riots in the wake of the extremely violent racist and Islamophobic riots taking place in parts of England and Northern Ireland.
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The past week has seen entire communities attacked, with shops, cars and homes being damaged by the thugs.
Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has condemned the riots as 'far-right thuggery' and, at the start of this week (5 August), he promised to 'ramp up' the law to deal with the violence.
The far-right terrorism erupted after three young girls named Bebe King, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Elsie Dot Stancombe - were killed in a stabbing at a dance class in Southport at the end of last month (29 July).
Following the tragedy, false rumours spread on social media that the 17-year-old suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.
On Wednesday (7 August), Merseyside detectives have issued images obtained via CCTV of 14 individuals who 'may have information following incidents of disorder in Merseyside'.
The force has not yet issued specific details on where or when the photographs were taken.
Detective Superintendent Paul Speight said: "It is vital that these people make themselves known as soon as possible, as we think they can assist our ongoing investigations.
"The communities of Southport and beyond were disgusted by the violence and damage caused last week and at the weekend.
"We are still working our way through information, images and footage as it comes in and we’ll continue to take action to arrest, charge and put before the courts anyone identified."
Speight also confirmed that, so far, 42 people have been arrested, 15 charged and three jailed adding: "There will be more in the coming days, and many people who are sitting comfortably will soon be getting a knock on their door.
"And you will see in coming days, the courts will act as swiftly as possible to jail those people who bring violence, racism and hatred into our communities."
He also warned: "To anyone intent on coming to Merseyside in the future I have the same message: we will find you, and we will put you before the courts."
In their official press release, Merseyside Police added: "If you recognise any of the people pictured, contact us @MerpolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, with reference 24000663787."
Tyla has contacted Merseyside Police for further comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org.