Far-right activists run riot outside Southport mosque

Violent clashes between far-right protesters and police erupted outside a mosque in Southport yesterday following a knife attack that killed three children. Twenty-two officers were injured during the trouble, police said.

- TOM WATLING

Footage from Southport showed gangs of men chanting and throwing bricks at a wall of riot police. A police van was blazing behind them, with black smoke filling the air.

Last night police introduced a 24-hour Section 60 Order in the area running from 7.54pm yesterday, which gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals and is designed to minimise serious violence. A Section 34 Order was also introduced, giving police the power to direct people engaging in antisocial behaviour or are likely to become involved in such incidents.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper described the violence as “a total disgrace”, adding that it was “appalling” that police officers, some of whom had responded to Monday’s attack, were now combating “thugs on the streets who have no respect for a grieving community”.