London, UK - July 31, 2024

STORYLINE:
Dozens of arrests have been made as protests following the Southport knife attack spread to different parts of the UK.

More than 100 people were arrested in central London on Wednesday evening as officers clashed with protesters on Whitehall, close to Downing Street, during a demonstration.

Disorder also broke out in Hartlepool where eight people were arrested, several officers were injured and a police car was set on fire.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet senior police leaders on Thursday to offer them his full backing in the face of ongoing unrest.

In London, demonstrators were seen launching flares towards the gates of Downing Street and at a statue of Winston Churchill.

People could be heard chanting phrases such as stop the boats and save our kids as they threw bottles and cans at officers.

Earlier, the Met said conditions placed on the protest had been breached.

The Met said it made arrests for a range of offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker and breach of protest conditions on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, the Met said officers were deployed to ensure disorder was contained but added that some suffered minor injuries.

Video Location: United Kingdom,London
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