Curtis Arnold, known for filming the recovery of Nicola Bulley, has been arrested this evening at Downing Street amidst escalating protests. The ‘far-right’ has sparked unrest in Central London following similar riots in Southport.
Photos and videos shared on X (formerly Twitter) show protesters lighting flares in the middle of the road and throwing glass bottles at police officers. Demonstrators can be heard chanting “save our kids” loudly while waving St George flags.
Background of the Protests
The protests were ignited by a tragic incident in Merseyside, where three young girls were killed, and several others were attacked. A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the attacks. However, unrest grew after false rumours spread online claiming the suspect was a refugee. Police have confirmed that the boy was born in Cardiff.
Violence first erupted near a Southport mosque on Tuesday, fueled by these baseless claims. The resulting disorder led to 53 officers and three police dogs being injured, with four people arrested so far.
Protest in London
Tonight’s march in London is being promoted by ex-actor-turned-activist Laurence Fox. The Metropolitan Police have informed the ‘Enough is Enough’ protesters that their demonstration is restricted to between 7 PM and 8:30 PM.
Superintendent Neil Holyoak, who is overseeing the policing of the protest, said: “Following the tragic events in Southport, it is understandable that the public has strong feelings about this shocking incident – but the subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation.
“Everyone has a right to protest, and we continue to balance the right to lawful protest with everyone’s right to go about their lives without fear or serious disruption – which is why we have put conditions in place and deployed more officers across London.”
Police Response
Superintendent Holyoak added: “We are speaking to the protest organisers as well as local community groups, businesses, and religious leaders, particularly the Muslim community who have been impacted by this week’s disorder in Southport. I urge everyone to exercise their right to protest calmly and within the law. Any disorder will be dealt with swiftly.”
The police presence in the area has been significantly increased to prevent the protest from escalating into further violence. Officers are prepared to respond swiftly to any breaches of the peace.
Public Reaction
The events have drawn widespread condemnation from various community leaders and the public, with many calling for calm and unity in the face of the misinformation-fueled unrest.
