Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain has said communities must not give in to ‘hatred and division’ following far-right demonstrations in parts of the UK in the wake of the stabbing of children in Southport.

Police officers suffered serious injuries in the far-right, Islamophobic disorder on Tuesday night in Southport, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for the victims of a stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Unrest broke out near the town’s mosque leaving 49 Merseyside officers and four from Lancashire injured, as well as three police dogs that were hurt.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, and another on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article.

MORE: Lancashire teen charged with murders in Southport named

Garden walls were broken down by protesters who threw bricks at officers and the local mosque. Cars and wheelie bins were set alight, and a convenience store was looted.

Further incidents took place overnight in Greater Manchester, London and Hartlepool.

On Wednesday morning, Southport residents were out repairing the damage to properties in the town, showing the community spirit in the seaside town.

Independent MP Mr Hussain said: “The appalling events of the other night in Southport demonstrated the worst of what we as a society, as a country can be. 

“The lack of sensitivity for a deeply traumatised and grieving community, the disregard for the exemplary role the police and emergency services have been playing in the aftermath of this unspeakable tragedy, the hatred, the divisiveness, the stoking of fear and alarm.

“We witnessed in action a dangerous rhetoric which has the power to tear apart our communities and society at large.

“However, I am convinced that this is not the way it has to be, because the community of Southport, in the aftermath of this devastating tragedy which took the lives of Alice, Bebe, and Elsie, showed us an alternative.”

Sebastian Taylor,10 and sister Evelyn , 7 help clean up on Sussex Road in Southport following a night of violence.

Mr Hussain praised people who had come together to clean up after the riot.

He said: “We witnessed the heroes; every day people, from all walks of life, in the heat of the tragedy which unfolded upon their community, placing their lives on the line to protect and save those poor innocent children.

"Neither race, creed nor political leaning stood in their way when they acted in the selfless manner in which they did.

“These are the two faces of society revealed to us over the last few days.

“We have a choice now; do we come together as a people, as a nation, and embrace the hope demonstrated to us by the exemplary community of Southport in the face of their tragedy?

“Or are we to give in to the darkness, hatred and divisiveness we all witnessed on display.”

Axel Rudakubana, 17, of Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article. 

He appeared at court in Liverpool today, where restrictions on reporting his identity were lifted, and will next be in court for a plea hearing in October, with a trial provisionally scheduled for January 2025.