Sunderland riot: Police station set ablaze as officers face down hundreds of protesters

Drivers tooted their horns as vehicles passed the gathering at Keel Square. There was a loud cheer as a march set off shortly before 7pm. A large police presence was watching the marchers, some of whom were draped in England flags.

An eyewitness told GB News: “It was absolute chaos, protesters were throwing objects at cars and at police officers. A fire broke out at the police station while people started to run away. Groups of demonstrators have taken over the city centre."

A Sunderland local told GB News: "I was drinking in a pub which had to lock its doors due to rioters trying to get in and cause trouble. We could see City Hall 500 metres away and hear the sirens. It was mostly young kids between 13 and 15 causing trouble."

They added: "We saw police horses getting stuff thrown at them and people throwing petrol bombs."

One eyewitness who asked to remain anonymous added: "Bricks were thrown at my car while driving down Hylton Road with my child in the back.

"People do mental stuff because they know they won’t get caught. If I had stopped I think they would have dragged me out and hurt me and my child. It was terrifying."

Members of the crowd marching through the city centre chanted in support of Tommy Robinson. Others shouted insults about Islam.

Mounted police followed the march, along with officers in vans who battled their way through traffic to keep up.

In a statement, Northumbria Police said on social media: "We are aware of ongoing disorder in Sunderland city centre. We advise members of the public to avoid the area while officers deal with the situation."

It comes as The Muslim Council of Britain said that hundreds of mosques are strengthening their security and putting in place protective measures ahead of more planned protests. There are fears Islamic places of worship could be targeted during demonstrations expected to take place over the weekend.

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Lord Walney, the UK Government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, said police should be prepared to step in if it appears troublemakers are travelling to incite riots.

The crossbench peer told the BBC: "Where there is these kinds of gatherings which are just designed to be fanning the flames of violence, (they) should be stopping people gathering. People absolutely have the right to protest in this country, but they do not have the right to riot."

Director of Public Prosecutions at the Crown Prosecution Service Stephen Parkinson said: "We take the recent incidents of violent disorder extremely seriously and we are ready to respond rapidly if there is a fresh outbreak.

"We have deployed dozens of extra prosecutors who are working round the clock this weekend, supporting the police, and ready to make immediate charging decisions so that justice is swiftly delivered."

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I’m appalled by scenes from Sunderland. Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery. It’s not protest.

"It’s crime and disorder. You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region. Those grieving in Southport will take no comfort from this."

In a post on social media, the Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson said: "Our city is not represented by a tiny minority causing trouble. (Northumbria Police) have my full support as they respond to criminal thuggery and work to protect all the communities of our city.

"Tomorrow the people of Sunderland will come together and continue to build the bright future that we have – a future where every community of our city feels safe and prospers."

Leader of Sunderland Conservatives Cllr Antony Mullen said: "What is happening tonight in our city centre is disgraceful and the people responsible should live the rest of their lives in shame. These people have taken the tragedy in Southport and managed to make it about themselves. They have totally disrespected their memory.

"These people should be called out for this fascist act. These people are not patriots, they are enemies of the people. "

Meanwhile, in Liverpool, a crowd of about 200 anti-racist protesters gathered outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque after rumours of a far-right protest there. Seventy-year-old Pat, who did not want to give her second name, held a placard saying "Nans against Nazis".

She said: "We’re telling them wherever they go, we’ll be there. We’ve never allowed them in the city of Liverpool."

She said she began protesting 50 years ago, against the National Front. She added: "Someone said to me ‘you’re too old, don’t be doing this’ but as long as they’re here someone’s got to do it."

A small scuffle broke out between protesters as one crossed West Derby Road towards demonstrators protecting the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque and police moved in. Those outside the mosque chanted: "Say it loud, say it clear: Refugees are welcome here."

One man, among a small group on this the opposite side of the road, replied: "Are they f***." Those outside the mosque also chanted: "Nazi scum, off our streets."

Rioters set off fire extinguishers at police in protective gear in Sunderland city centre.

The clashes came as part of a sustained attack on officer. An overturned car was set on fire as the disorder continued.

In a statement on social media, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Criminals attacking the police & stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence & thuggery.

"The police have the full backing of Government to take the strongest possible action & ensure they face the full force of the law. They do not represent Britain."

The 17-year-old charged with the murder of three girls in Southport appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, and was named as Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire.

He is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

Rudakubana is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

He was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear in court in October.