London, Thanasis Gavos

About 500 members of far-right organizations caused serious incidents on Tuesday night in Southport, north-west England, while thousands of local residents had gathered for a vigil in memory of the three girls who were killed in a knife attack by a 17-year-old at noon on Monday, while they were in dance lesson.

The riots gathered outside the city’s mosque and they attacked the police with bricks, stones, wood and other materials, they caused considerable damage to property and set fire to a police van. In total 39 police officers were injuredwith 27 of them needing hospital care.

The rally is believed to have been organized by the far-right organisation English Defense League following a rumor circulating on social media that the perpetrator of the horrific incident was from Syria.

This rumor has been denied by the police. The 17-year-old was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and police investigations so far they have not identified any connection with a terrorist organization or Islamist ideology.

Southport residents said those in the far-right crowd did not live in the area and accused them of showing a complete lack of respect for a town mourning the loss of at least three little girls, while five children and two adults remain in critical condition.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmerwho had earlier visited Southport, said those who caused the incidents would face the full force of the law.

Regarding the investigation into the perpetrator’s motive, reports state that the police are focusing on his mental state or possible signs of neurodivergence.