The unrest follows anti-immigration protests earlier in the day, leading to widespread damage and accusations of hate crimes.

A cafe and supermarket in south Belfast have been left severely damaged by fire following violent clashes on Saturday night. The incidents, which continued into Sunday morning, came after anti-immigration protests earlier in the day, where tensions between anti-Islamic protesters and anti-racism demonstrators escalated.

In addition to the fires, several cars were burnt out, and firefighters were called to tackle multiple deliberate fires in the Donegall Road area. As the cleanup began on Sunday morning, the manager of a local supermarket, Bashir, spoke out, claiming the Muslim community was being targeted. He stated, “People attacked this place, racism against Islam and Muslims, especially the Muslim community.” He also criticised the police response, saying, “What kind of police are letting the people burn everything down?”

The violence erupted following earlier unrest when an anti-immigration protest moved through the city. A confrontation occurred at Belfast City Hall between anti-Islamic protesters and those attending an anti-racist rally, during which fireworks and missiles were thrown. The protesters then marched towards the university area, where further clashes broke out with residents of Lower Ormeau. A business in the Botanic area was attacked, and a hotel had its windows smashed.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is treating the reports of criminal damage as hate crimes and has made two arrests. There had been social media calls for protests in response to the murders of three young children in Southport, which were connected to the unrest in Belfast.

Political leaders quickly condemned the violence. Stormont leaders, including First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Justice Minister Naomi Long, called the incidents “unacceptable,” while Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn praised the police response. DUP leader Gavin Robinson also condemned the violence, stating that lawlessness and violence would not be tolerated.

SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole emphasised the importance of a strong policing response, especially as far-right groups not connected to Belfast were involved in the destruction. He reiterated the city’s commitment to diversity, saying, “Our city, particularly the south of the city, is proud of its diversity and will defend it against hate.” DUP MLA Edwin Poots also condemned the violence but noted that many of those involved were not local, and expressed frustration with the government’s failure to address the community’s needs.

Poots added, “Acts of violence and destruction of the area which we are trying to get investment into is totally counterproductive.” He also pointed out the housing crisis and lack of access to essential services, stressing the need for government action to address these concerns and prevent further violence.

Radio presenter shares her sorrow after violent protests in her hometown.

Radio and TV presenter Lauren Laverne has expressed her sadness after witnessing the chaos in her hometown of Sunderland, following violent protests on Friday evening. The riots broke out after a planned demonstration linked to the recent knife attack in Southport, which has sparked nationwide tensions.

Laverne, 46, who is known for her role as a presenter on The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, shared her feelings on Instagram, stating: “Heartbroken for my hometown last night. Sending love and solidarity to everyone beginning the cleanup today.” She included a picture with the post, showing the aftermath of the unrest.

The unrest in Sunderland is part of a broader wave of planned protests across the UK, with numerous demonstrations taking place in towns and cities nationwide, following the tragic killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport earlier this week.

Former Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby, also from Sunderland, condemned the violence, calling it “shameful.” Crosby shared a statement from Kim McGuinness, the mayor of the North East, who said that what started as a peaceful protest had been marred by violence. She added on Instagram: “What started as a peaceful protest was completely ruined. Shameful. It really is.”

Meanwhile, Loose Women star Denise Welch, from nearby Tynemouth, voiced her concern over the events, sharing a video of the disorder on X and remarking: “The majority of the lovely Sunderland people will be horrified by these scenes.”

The disturbances saw several incidents, including the looting of a police officer’s vehicle and the setting alight of a Citizens Advice office. Hundreds gathered in Keel Square, where some protesters, draped in England flags, chanted support for English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson, while others shouted derogatory remarks about Islam.

Thousands march for Palestinian solidarity amid counter-protests and arrests.

A pro-Palestine demonstration in central London on Saturday saw thousands of people marching from Park Lane to Downing Street, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The march attracted attention with multiple arrests and counter-protests throughout the city.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that four people were detained during the event. One individual was arrested for making a Nazi salute towards a counter-protester, while another was taken into custody for carrying a placard linked to a proscribed organisation. The remaining two arrests were for displaying offensive placards during the demonstration.

The protest was marked by significant chanting, with popular slogans such as “Free, free Palestine,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and “In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians” filling the streets. Protesters waved Palestinian flags, and a large red cloth symbolising a river was carried by marchers, creating a vibrant and impactful scene.

At the same time, a counter-protest titled “Enough is Enough” took place at Piccadilly Circus, where demonstrators waved Israeli flags and held signs depicting Israeli hostages. One prominent banner read: “Rape is not resistance.” A group of Holocaust survivors stood in support of the pro-Palestine protesters, holding placards with the message: “Holocaust survivor descendants against Gaza genocide.”

At the conclusion of the march, speeches were delivered by former Labour MP Apsana Begum, now an Independent, and Jess Barnard, chair of Young Labour. Begum addressed the crowd, saying: “For ourselves, for each other, for our diverse communities across the UK and for the men, women and children of Gaza and all those facing oppression around the world, solidarity.”

Barnard followed with a firm demand: “Starmer, we don’t want excuses, we don’t want delay, we don’t want you to say you’re different from the Tories, we want you to smash the Tory legacy of complicity in Israeli war crimes. We want action. No more delay, no more excuses.”

Tensions rise following the tragic killing of three young girls in Merseyside and widespread unrest in multiple cities

Riot police clashed with protesters in various UK cities on Saturday as ministers convened to discuss the possibility of further disturbances in the wake of recent violent protests. The demonstrations were sparked by the tragic deaths of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport, Merseyside, earlier in the week. Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, is accused of the killings, but false claims circulated online, suggesting the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived by boat.

On Saturday, protests erupted in cities such as Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Belfast, and Hull, with tensions running high. In Liverpool, violent confrontations led to several injuries among police officers, including one hit on the head by a chair and others targeted with bricks and bottles. Riot shields were kicked, and another officer was knocked off his motorcycle by a protester. In Stoke-on-Trent, bricks were thrown, while Belfast saw fireworks hurled during clashes between anti-Islamic and anti-racism protesters. In Hull, windows were smashed at a hotel housing migrants.

Greater Manchester Police imposed a dispersal notice for the city centre, while Merseyside Police increased stop-and-search powers in response to the growing unrest. Protests in Nottingham and Leeds involved opposing groups, with chants of “England till I die” and “Nazi scum off our streets” filling the air. In Leeds, around 150 people waving St George flags were vastly outnumbered by counter-protesters.

As the disturbances continued, the social media platform TikTok blocked the search for the term “Tommy Robinson,” the far-right figure at the centre of some protests. Cleveland Police dismissed claims that the organiser of a Middlesbrough march had been arrested on terrorism charges, stating that the individual was detained for firearms offences.

This series of protests follows the “unforgivable” violence in Sunderland, where a Citizens Advice office was set on fire, and a gravestone was reportedly targeted by vandals. Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, suggested a connection between the violence and the far-right English Defence League (EDL), which was founded by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

There have been growing concerns about the impact of far-right extremism, with MPs from across the political spectrum condemning the disorder that has gripped cities like London, Manchester, Southport, and Hartlepool. Cleveland Police reported the arrest of two boys, aged 11 and 14, for violent disorder in Hartlepool, where a police station was set on fire, and a mosque was attacked.

Northumbria Police confirmed that four officers were injured during the Sunderland violence, and 10 people have been arrested. Police have warned that those responsible for the disorder should expect severe consequences, with Mark Hall, Chief Superintendent, stating that this was “unforgivable violence.”

Concerns have also been raised within the Muslim community about the far-right groups behind the protests. Qari Asim, chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, expressed deep anxiety over the demonstrations planned across the country.

To manage the unrest, an additional 70 prosecutors have been put on standby, and more than 30 events have been identified by the Hope Not Hate campaign group. Thousands of people gathered in Southport earlier this week to pay tribute to the three young girls who lost their lives, but the mourning was overshadowed by violent protests outside a mosque, leaving 53 police officers injured.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the “thugs” who came to Southport to stir up unrest, calling the violence the greatest challenge of his premiership. The scale of the disorder has drawn comparisons to the 2011 riots, which were sparked by the police shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham Hale, North London.