Eleven police officers sustained injuries as demonstrators threw rocks and garbage cans, prompting a British cabinet minister to label the events as ‘unacceptable.’ The unrest occurred in Southampton, a city in southern England, on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, British police and lawmakers appealed for calm after violence broke out due to a highly sensitive murder case. Footage emerged showing officers handcuffing a murder victim, Henry Nowak, while his attacker was present last December. This led right-wing commentators and politicians to accuse British police of bias against white people.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Southampton’s main police station on Tuesday evening. Some tried to reach the street where the killer’s family resides, attacking officers who blocked the way. Other attacks occurred across the city. Footage captured protesters throwing rocks, flares, and garbage cans at police, with some punching and kicking officers’ riot shields. Several demonstrators carried the British flag.
Shabana Mahmood, the British home secretary overseeing policing, condemned the violence, stating it was ‘completely unacceptable.’ She declared, ‘There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder. Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law.’ Mahmood commended the police for their bravery and calm under the violent circumstances directed at them.