Violent attacks by far-right extremists escalated over the weekend across the United Kingdom, targeting members of the Muslim community, their businesses, and mosques.
According to the BBC, attacks occurred on Saturday in six English cities (Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool) and in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Far-right extremists threw missiles, looted stores, and clashed with police. In Liverpool, they threw bricks, bottles, and flares at officers, while around 1,000 far-right individuals confronted an “anti-rally” in the city.
Authorities have arrested 250 people in 2 days, while dozens of police officers have been injured.
On Sunday, attacks occurred in other parts of the United Kingdom, including Rotherham, Middlesbrough, and Bolton. In Rotherham, far-right extremists broke windows and set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers, then entered the building. A similar attack took place at a hotel in Birmingham.
The violence was triggered by misinformation about the suspect in the Southport knife attack during a dance class, which resulted in the deaths of three girls.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement on Sunday condemning the “far-right mob we saw this weekend” and promising that those involved would “face the full force of the law.”