Southport stabbing latest: Police arrest four after riot with ‘more to follow’ as suspect remains in custody

Merseyside Police have made four arrests after violent disorder broke out on the streets of Southport, with far-right protesters throwing bricks and bottles outside a mosque.

It comes as the force is given more time to question the suspect in the Southport knife attack in which three young girls were killed and eight more children injured at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The 17-year-old, who is from Lancashire and was born in Cardiff bu t has not been named because of his age, remains in custody having been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Police can apply to hold a suspect in serious cases for up to 96 hours without charge.

Meanwhile, members of the community in Southport have been clearing up after suspected far-right supporters rioted and attacked a mosque following a peaceful vigil for the young victims of the brutal knife attack.

Police accused individuals who do not live in Merseyside or care about its people for using lies and disinformation around the suspect’s identity “to bring violence and disorder to our streets”, in which paramedics said 39 police officers were injured.

Have you been affected by this incident? Email athena.stavrou@independent.co.uk