Protests After Southport Attack Not Driven by Ideology: Police Watchdog

May 8, 2025 TruthUSA

The unrest during the summer of 2024 was ignited by the stabbing incident involving 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who tragically killed three young girls and injured ten others during a dance class.

A significant review examining the public disorder that ensued after the knife attack in Southport last summer has found no evidence that the ensuing chaos was driven by ideological or political motives.

Findings from the police inspectorate released on Wednesday indicate that the violent demonstrations across England in July 2024 did not stem from a singular cause or coordinated efforts by extremist groups, contrary to earlier claims made by some politicians and media outlets.

The disturbances occurred in several cities, including Southport, Leeds, Liverpool, Hartlepool, central London, Sunderland, Rotherham, and Manchester.

This unrest followed the attack on July 29, where 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana entered a children’s dance class and fatally stabbed three girls—Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar—while injuring ten others.

Rudakubana, who was born in Britain of Rwandan descent, received a sentence of at least 52 years in prison.

In the aftermath of the attack, reports emerged of far-right groups exploiting the situation online to propagate anti-immigration and Islamophobic sentiments.

Social media platforms faced backlash for permitting the widespread circulation of provocative and misleading content without adequate oversight.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denounced the violent aftermath as “far-right thuggery,” asserting that it was criminal behavior, rather than legitimate protest.

However, the review from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) determined that the violence was largely detached from the protesters’ ideologies or political beliefs.

“Some individuals, including politicians and numerous media outlets, have claimed that the disorder stemmed from well-orchestrated, coordinated actions by extremist factions. Others claimed it was fueled by deliberate, targeted disinformation from various sources,” the report explained.

“Nonetheless, we found the underlying causes to be more intricate than initially apparent.”

“Significant factors contributing to the widespread unrest included social deprivation, austerity, economic challenges, political policies on migration and asylum, and diminishing trust and confidence in policing,” the review stated.

Children and Community Involvement

Of the 1,804 arrests made during the disturbances, 147 involved children, some as young as 11 years old. The oldest individual convicted of assault was 81 years old. Many had no prior record of criminal or extremist activities.

According to the Children’s Commissioner for England, many young participants described their involvement as spontaneous and unplanned, often influenced by curiosity or social media rather than ideological beliefs.

“These discussions do not support the dominant narrative that misinformation, racism, or far-right influences prompted young people’s participation,” stated the Commissioner’s report.

While the police inspectorate acknowledged that the causes of the riots were “diverse and complex,” it emphasized the need for both police and politicians to take them seriously to avert similar future unrest.

Police officers with protesters as trouble flares during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Aug. 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA) — Police officers with protesters as disturbances occur during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Aug. 4, 2024.Danny Lawson/PA

Policing and Preparedness Criticised

The HMICFRS criticized police forces for their lack of preparedness and slow reactions to the evolving circumstances, particularly regarding the proliferation of misinformation online.

Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, stated, “The police service must learn from past episodes of disorder; it cannot afford to be caught unprepared again.”

Cooke recognized that the challenges of policing have intensified as online narratives rapidly spread and sway public sentiment.

“Law enforcement agencies must effectively address the outcomes of harmful information that circulates quickly online. It is essential that legislation, regulation, and enforcement of illegal online content be strengthened accordingly,” he said.

The review identified that many forces had not followed through on recommendations stemming from significant disturbances in 2011 and 2021, leaving them ill-equipped to adequately monitor and respond to online threats.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has acknowledged the need for learning but has warned against placing the entire burden of moderating online content on police forces.

Law enforcement should not regulate social media, as that accountability rests with users, platform providers, and regulators, asserted the NPCC.

“The report emphasizes that policing lacks an adequate solution for tackling misinformation and disinformation, yet this challenge extends far beyond what law enforcement can address,” remarked NPCC chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens.

Recommendations

Cooke urged social media companies to assume greater responsibility for the content shared on their platforms and called for Ofcom to secure enhanced regulatory powers for prompt enforcement action.

“These platforms must be held accountable—regardless of whether they operate out of the U.S. or China,” he asserted.

The inspectorate also put forth three additional recommendations for police forces and relevant stakeholders:

These involve aiding police in better understanding and responding to online risks, enhancing their methods for gathering and disseminating information about unrest, and streamlining investigations into related offenses.

Source link