Nation braces for weekend of far-right street violence

Far-right rioters have been told they will face the full force of the law as police brace for a weekend of violence, with 35 protests planned in the wake of the killing of three children in Southport.

- AMY-CLARE MARTIN, HOLLY BANCROFT, DAVID MADDOX

In a warning to organisers, Home Office minister Lord Hanson vowed "we will be watching you" to prevent the "summer madness" from spreading following a string of violent clashes, as police chiefs said they will not tolerate far-right thugs exploiting the nation's grief.

Dozens of demonstrations planned across the country have stoked fears of widespread unrest amid rising far-right anger over Monday's atrocity, which saw three girls aged nine, seven and six fatally stabbed and eight more wounded at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Sir Keir Starmer returned to the scene for a second visit yesterday, meeting community and police leaders to unveil a support package for the seaside resort town in the wake of the murders of three young girls and subsequent far-right riots.

He went on to visit Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool where many of the victims were treated. The prime minister praised the resilience of the community in Southport which has seen acts of bravery and kindness in the wake of the violence.

He said: "As a nation, we stand with those who tragically have lost loved ones in the heinous attack in Southport, which ripped through the very fabric of this community and left us all in shock. It is truly inspiring to hear of all the ways in which people have come together in the face of such horrors to demonstrate true bravery, resilience and solidarity.

"I cannot begin to imagine the pain that people are going through right now, but I am determined to make sure that Southport and its leaders have all the support they need to preserve and nurture this strength of community spirit not just in the immediate aftermath but also in the years to come."