Southport latest: Officers injured; fireworks thrown in Belfast; crowds standoff in Leeds; children throw bricks in Liverpool (2024)

Four men have been arrested in Stoke-on-Trent after disorder there.

Police denied claims on social media there had been a stabbing.

Staffordshire Police said: "There is growing speculation that a stabbing has taken place as a result of the disorder today.

"We can confirm this information is false."

However, it did say one man was injured after being "hit by a blunt object that was thrown".

His injuries are not thought to be serious.

"Four men have been arrested in connection with the disorder and are currently in custody for questioning," the force said.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, has said people engaging in violent disorder "will pay the price".

She told broadcasters: "Criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain's streets."

Some people have already beencharged over the unrest, she said.

Ms Cooper added: "We've been clear to the police that they have our full backing in taking the strongest possible action against perpetrators, including making sure that there are more prosecutors, there are sufficient prison places and also that the courts stand ready because anyone who engages in this kind of disorder needs to be clear that they will pay the price."

She also said she'd been speaking to "MPs across the country" to ensure "they and their constituencies are able to hear from local police and to work with local communities".

Ms Cooper went on: "That work will continue - it's really important that local representatives, also local community leaders, are involved working with the police.

"But the bottom line here is we cannot stand for this kind of thuggery or criminal disorder on our streets."

Sir Keir Starmer has said police have the government's "full support" to take action against "extremists" attacking officers and attempting to "sow hate".

The prime minister has held crisis talks with ministers after violence flared across parts of England.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said she would work with forces to help ensure "consequences, arrests and prosecutions" for those responsible.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "This afternoon the prime minister convened senior ministers including the deputy prime minister, home secretary, justice secretary and the policing minister to discuss the incidents of public disorder and unrest we have seen in towns and cities in recent days.

"The prime minister began by thanking the police who responded to the violence committed by a small minority of thugs in Sunderland last night which injured four officers.

"Addressing the scenes of disorder we have seen today, the prime minister set out that the police have our full support to take action against extremists on our streets who are attacking police officers, disrupting local businesses and attempting to sow hate by intimidating communities.

"The home secretary updated on the ongoing police response to outbreaks of disorder.

"She said we will work with them to ensure there are consequences, arrests and prosecutions for those responsible.

"The justice secretary added that already offenders who have committed violence over the last few days have been remanded in custody and the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible.

"The deputy prime minister said we are working with local authorities to ensure members of the community who have been targeted by thuggish extremists have the support they need.

"The prime minister ended by saying the right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.

"He said there is no excuse for violence of any kind and reiterated that the government backs the police to take all necessary action to keep our streets safe."

Northumbria Police says "doors have been put in" and further arrests made after "violent disorder in Sunderland".

It said warrants were carried out inSunderland city centre and an "address in the ford estate area of the city".

"Two people were arrested - a woman aged 43 on suspicion of violent disorder, and a man aged 55 on suspicion of provoking violence," the force said.

It brings the total number arrested to 12, and themajority are from the Sunderland area.

Roads in Liverpool have reopened after "serious disorder in the city centre", Merseyside Police has said.

Earlier (4.51pm post) we reported that a number of police officers had been injured.

The force said: "We would like to thank local residents, motorists, visitors and businesses in the city centre for their patience and understanding."

A man was knocked unconscious after he fell backwards in Blackpool andhit his head on the ground.

Another man drove his motorbike at a crowd before officers arrived, the Press Association reported.

The protest in the townmoved towards St John's Square where punks attending the Rebellion festival were gathered.

There was "little, if any, police presence when skirmishes broke out between demonstrators and punks, with bottles and chairs being thrown and wood wielded", PA said.

Things had apparently calmed down but grew volatile again at about 3.30pm as officers moved to protect the war memorial and Metropole hotel.

The Promenade was closed and a line of police stood between the main demonstrators and counter-protesters.

Shortly before 4pm "police on horseback galloped towards the Tower, while officers in unmarked cars drove down the tram tracks", PA said.

Protesters then went through the streets and back to the town hall.

Items were thrown at police vehicles.

Threepolice officers have been injured in Hull city centre and four people arrested, Humberside Police has said.

At "this stage, three officers are believed to have suffered injuries" after a group of people targeted a hotel which houses asylum seekers, the force added.

Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said there was a "high policing presence" while officers "respond to disorder that is taking place in the area of Ferensway".

Officers had "faced eggs and bottles being thrown", he said.

Mr Wildbore added: "We have issued a dispersal order for the area and there will remain a visible police presence as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those in the community."

He said tear gas had not been deployed "contrary to speculation in the media".

Drone restrictions have been introduced in Liverpool city centre, Merseyside Police has said.

They started at 2.54pm and will last until 5pm on Monday.

During that period it will be an offence for any aircraft to fly below 2,000ft above sea levelwithin 1.5 nautical miles of the Royal Liver Building.

The force said: "Drone and aircraft users flying inside the restricted airspace that have not been granted permission will be guilty of committing an offence and could be prosecuted."

A number of police officers have been injured as they deal with "serious disorder in Liverpool city centre", Merseyside Police has said.

The force said on X: "This behaviour, which puts the public and our officers in harm's way, will not be tolerated.

"And we will be arresting those responsible."

The force has also condemned "despicable behaviour" which "disrupts the lives of members of the public".

As we reported earlier, Section 34 and Section 60 orders are both in place in Liverpool.

Section 60 gives police "enhanced powers to stop and search individuals and is designed to prevent serious violence".

Section 34 gives officers the power to "seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour".

James Cleverly, the shadow home secretary, is urging the prime minister and home secretary to "do more" to restore public order.

Mr Cleverly said Sir Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper need to "send a clear message to the thugs".

And he said social media companies need to be tackled over the "spread of disinformation fuelling these events".

The Tory leadership contender said: "Labour need to clamp down immediately on the violence that we have seen across the country and send a clear message to the thugs that they will be met with the full strength of the law.

"The public expects the government to restore order.

"The prime minister and home secretary must do more to demonstrate that they are gripping this situation.

"They should be giving regular updates alongside the police so potential rioters know that they won't get away with this."