Far-right riots flare in Sunderland amid ongoing UK anti-immigrant protests
Al Jazeera
Police say officers faced ‘serious and sustained levels of violence’ after several hundred people rampaged in Sunderland’s city centre.
Violent far-right riots have erupted in the northeast English city of Sunderland amid a string of anti-immigrant protests following the killing of three children at a dance class earlier this week.
Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Helena Barron said officers on Friday faced “serious and sustained levels of violence” after several hundred people rampaged in Sunderland’s city centre, attacking police and setting fire to at least one car and a building next to a police office.
Eight people were arrested following hours of what Barron described as “utterly deplorable” disturbances. Three officers required hospital treatment and two remained in hospital early on Saturday.
Images shared on social media showed balaclava-clad youths throwing bricks as fireworks and flares were let off.
“The shocking scenes we have witnessed in Sunderland this evening are completely unacceptable,” Barron said, adding the “disorder, violence and damage” seen “will not be tolerated”.
