In the United Kingdom, violence broke out over the weekend due to false rumors about a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class that resulted in the deaths of three children. This misinformation led to clashes between rioters and police at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.
Reports indicate that while properties were damaged, no employees or guests at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham were injured. However, the riots left at least 10 police officers injured. Photos captured intense confrontations between police and protesters, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned as “far-right thuggery.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised strict action against those involved in the violence. He emphasized that authorities would ensure swift justice for those responsible for inciting and participating in the riots. Starmer stated, “This is not a protest; it is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”
The violence was particularly severe in Rotherham, where police struggled to control hundreds of rioters trying to break into the hotel used for housing asylum seekers. Police officers faced a barrage of missiles, including pieces of wood, chairs, and fire extinguishers. A large bin near the hotel’s window was set on fire, but it was quickly extinguished.
South Yorkshire Police, responsible for Rotherham, reported that at least 10 officers were injured, including one who was knocked unconscious. Lindsey Butterfield, assistant chief constable of the local police, described the behavior as “nothing short of disgusting.” She noted that even those who watched the violence without participating were complicit in the chaos.
The violence stemmed from a tragic incident in Southport, England, where three girls were killed, and 10 people were injured at a dance class by a 17-year-old named Axel Rudakubana. Anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups spread false information that the attacker was an immigrant and a radical Islamist. However, police confirmed that Rudakubana was born in Britain, and they are not treating the incident as terrorism.
Authorities charged Rudakubana with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. The girls who lost their lives were Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. The authorities stressed that addressing the spread of misinformation is crucial to prevent further harm and unrest.