UK knife attack: 17-year-old male charged with murder of 3 girls

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of three young girls in a knife attack on Thursday (Aug 2). The incident shocked the nation and led to two nights of violent protests.

The accused identified as Axel Rudakubana first appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court over Monday's (July 29) incident at a "Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop" summer vacation event for children in the seaside town of Southport.

Rudakubana is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one of possession of a bladed article.

His case was later heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where he sat in the dock with his face covered by a grey sweatshirt and did not speak to confirm his name.

It may be mentioned here, large protest broke out in Southport, in England's northwest, on Tuesday (July 30) after false information was spread on social media that the suspect in the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant, with anti-immigrant protesters descending on Southport town from elsewhere.

Police informed that the attack was not related to terrorism and confirmed that the suspect, born in Britain, is not connected to any particular origins or external factors.

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.

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

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.

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 to several officers.

(With inputs from agencies)