POLL OF THE DAY: Are the Left elite to blame for the violence in Southport as they continue to smear and ignore angry communities? YOUR VERDICT

Merseyside Police said those involved in the unrest, who they believe included supporters of the English Defence League, set alight cars belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at the local mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.

Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable, Alex Goss, said: "Merseyside Police has faced serious violence in Southport and I am so proud to have witnessed off-duty officers (many of whom had not long finished a full shift) parade back on duty to support their colleagues who had displayed such courage whilst under constant and sustained attack.

He added: "This is no way to treat a community, least of all a community that is still reeling from the events of Monday."

The rioting followed a frenzied stabbing attack in Southport on Monday at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

The attack saw Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

Eight other children were also stabbed, with five children and two adults left in a critical condition.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder following the incident at the dance studio in Hart Street.

One X user took the opportunity to blame "Leftist politicians" for the riots on Tuesday evening.

They wrote: "The government is to blame for the violence in Southport.

"They have fostered a culture where wronged communities who abide by the law are ignored, and those who riot are rewarded.

"Leftist politicians are quick to condemn the violence tonight, despite being responsible for it."

Pollster Matt Goodwin posted on X: "Millions of Brits have watched double standard policing, lawlessness, the collapse of borders, a mass migration they never voted for, mass grooming, the murder of police, MPs, army & now children, & are then called 'far right' when they say anything about it.

"Violence against cops is NEVER justified. But people have a right to feel angry."

In the exclusive poll for GB News membership readers, an overwhelming majority (64 per cent) of the 2,743 voters thought the Left elite were to blame, while just 34 per cent thought they weren't. Two per cent said they did not know.