Far-right riots saw thugs clashing with police in Sunderland last night, some of whom attempted to surround a mosque.
Tension erupted as stones and beer cans were thrown at police in riot gear outside a mosque on St Mark’s Road.
The violence escalated as mounted officers attempted to push back the thugs, some of whom wore masks.
Demonstrators chanted: “Whose streets, our streets” as unrest spread throughout the city.
Members of the crowd chanted in support of Tommy Robinson. Others shouted insults about Islam.
There was also a standoff between police and protesters outside a mosque on Sunderland’s St Mark’s Road.
Police in riot gear came under attack with stones and beer cans thrown at them.
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Some protesters argued about “two-tier policing” as the police threw a protective ring around the mosque.
Cars in Sunderland’s city centre were targeted, with one vehicle overturned and set on fire.
Northumbria Police advised the public to avoid the area as beer barrels were also hurled at officers.
The force said three injured officers were taken to hospital after they were met with “sustained levels of violence.” One of the officers has been discharged while the other two remain in hospital.
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Eight people have been arrested for offences ranging from violent disorder to burglary, the force said.
Police are urging anyone “planning to involve themselves in disorder” to “stay at home.”
The unrest follows riots in Hartlepool on Wednesday, which Cleveland Police have linked to protests surrounding the Southport attack that resulted in the deaths of three children in Merseyside on Monday.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness expressed dismay at the violence.
“Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the police, and damage property, you stand for nothing except thuggery,” she said. “You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region.”
Simultaneously, a crowd of 200 anti-racist protesters gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool, following rumors of a far-right protest.
The group chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear: Refugees are welcome here.”
Police across the country have been urged to protect mosques and accommodations for asylum seekers as the nation braces for at least 19 far-right rallies in the coming days.
The call for increased security from community leaders follows violent demonstrations that have spread from Southport to cities, including London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot after the fatal stabbings at a children’s holiday club.
The unrest intensified as unfounded online rumors falsely claimed the suspect in the murders was Muslim, leading to attacks on mosques in Southport and Hartlepool on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The suspect was identified Thursday as Axel Rudakubana, 17.
The demonstrations also saw accommodations for asylum seekers in Manchester and Aldershot targeted by protesters brandishing placards with messages that read: “Deport them, don’t support them” and “No apartments for illegals.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency meeting on Thursday with police leaders at Downing Street in response to the disorder in several towns across the country following the stabbings and announced the formation of a new national violent disorder unit.
