Southport stabbing: Teen suspect appeared in court; Starmer announces new national security reforms

A teenager faced court on Thursday, accused of killing three girls in a stabbing attack. Following the incident, Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed plans for a new "national capability" to address the resulting unrest.

The new measures include sharing intelligence, using facial recognition technology more widely, and issuing criminal behaviour orders to prevent troublemakers from moving around, according to the prime minister.

"These thugs are mobile; they move from community to community. We must have a policing response that can do the same," he stated.

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Starmer recently held a meeting with police chiefs nationwide to talk about ways to stop the violence that broke out after Monday's killings.

The protests said to be stirred up by far-right groups, expanded from the coastal town where the stabbings took place to other cities in England.

"Shockingly, what we've also seen is marauding mobs on the streets of Southport, attacking the very same police officers who responded to the awful attack on those girls," Starmer told police leaders.

"This government supports the police. It supports what you are doing. And to be absolutely clear, this is not protest, this is violent disorder, and action needs to be taken," he added.

False reports circulating on social media played a role in the violent clashes in Southport. These clashes resulted in bricks being thrown at a mosque and injuries to numerous police officers.

Starmer urged social media companies on Thursday to enforce the law regarding disinformation.

"It's also a crime, and it's happening on your premises," Starmer stated, referring to the spread of false information online that contributed to the violence.

Among the false online posts were claims that the attacker was an "illegal migrant."

Police have accused members of the far-right group, the English Defence League, of involvement. This anti-Islam organisation, established 15 years ago, has supporters known for football-related violence.

On Wednesday night outside Downing Street, protesters hurled bottles at police while chanting "Stop the boats," referring to the small vessels used by irregular migrants crossing the Channel.

In Hartlepool, located in northeast England, demonstrators ignited police cars and hurled objects at officers. Authorities reported making eight arrests.

Hartlepool police mentioned that officers were targeted with "missiles, glass bottles, and eggs," resulting in minor injuries for several officers.

Starmer emphasised that while the right to protest must be upheld, "criminals who exploit that right to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law."

Addressing police chiefs, he stated: "The government will make sure you've got the powers you need, and we will back you in using those powers, and I think it's very important that we say that."

(With inputs from agencies)