Dozens of arrests have been made as unrest stemming from the Southport knife attack has spread to various parts of the country.

More than 100 individuals were detained in central London on Wednesday evening as officers clashed with protesters near Downing Street during a demonstration. Unrest also broke out in Hartlepool, where eight people were arrested, several officers were injured, and a police car was set on fire.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet senior police leaders on Thursday to express his “full backing” in the face of the ongoing disorder.

Dal Babu, former Chief Superintendent and firearms commander in the Met, attributed the unrest to the “reckless” spread of misinformation about the identity of the suspect charged in the stabbing. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Mr. Babu noted that the police took the “unprecedented” step of confirming the suspect “was born in this country.”

In London, demonstrators launched flares towards the gates of Downing Street and at a statue of Winston Churchill. Protesters were heard chanting phrases such as “stop the boats” and “save our kids” while throwing bottles and cans at officers. The Met said conditions placed on the protest had been breached, leading to arrests for a range of offences, including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers sustained minor injuries.

In Hartlepool, violence resulted in the injury of several officers. Eight people were arrested for public order offences after glass bottles and eggs were thrown at police by protesters, and a police car was set on fire. Chief Superintendent David Sutherland commented on the arrests, stating, “At this stage, we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.” The force anticipates further arrests in the coming days.

Disorder was also reported in Aldershot. Local MP Alex Baker noted that a peaceful protest “descended into intimidating behavior” at a hotel in the Hampshire town, exacerbated by outsiders determined to cause unrest. She emphasized, “We all support our shared right to peacefully protest, but we will not stand for people coming to our towns determined to stir up trouble and divide our community.”

In Manchester, two men were arrested for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. Greater Manchester Police said protesters were dispersed in the Newton Heath area after objects were thrown towards the police and the public.

Wednesday’s disorder followed unrest near a mosque in Southport on Tuesday night, during which the building was attacked. Merseyside Police officers were pelted with bricks, and a police van was set on fire.