Summary
The suspect in the Southport stabbings has been named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, after restrictions preventing him from being identified were lifted
He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a bladed article and is remanded in youth custody
PM Sir Keir Starmer denounces the actions of "a gang of thugs" who took part in a riot in Southport and says a new "national capability" will be established to tackle violent disorder
Tuesday's riot followed a vigil for the victims Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine
Disorder then broke out on Wednesday evening in parts of England, with more than 100 people arrested in central London, alongside disturbances in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot
Live Reporting
Edited by James Gregory
What did Keir Starmer say?published at 16:47
16:47
Image source, PA MediaWe've just heard from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was speaking at a news conference this afternoon - if you missed it, here are the top lines:
- A new "national capability" will be set up across police forces to combat violent disorder
- Sharing intelligence, facial recognition technology and preventative measures to restrict people's movements will be part of the response
- Starmer said his meeting with police chiefs was to pull together a response to the unrest driven by "far-right hatred", and all other violent disorder that flares up
- The PM described those behind the unrest as a "gang of thugs", adding that he will not permit a breakdown of law and order on the streets
- He said the pain of the families of the Southport attack victims is "unimaginable", and the authorities must be given time to do their job
- He told the Muslim community he will "take every step that's necessary" to keep them safe and the far-right are showing who they are by attacking mosques
- He told social media companies the law must be upheld everywhere over disorder "whipped up online"
Nationwide police action to stop violent protestspublished at 16:35
16:35
Susan Hulme
Parliamentary correspondentThe prime minister has said he is establishing a "national capability" across police forces to tackle violent disorder following the tragedy in Southport.
Following this afternoon's meeting with police chiefs in Downing Street, Starmer said: "These thugs are mobile, they move from community to community and we must have a policing response that can do the same - shared intelligence, wider deployment of facial-recognition technology and prevent action such as criminal behaviour orders to restrict their movements before they can even board a train."
He had a warning for large social media companies, saying: "Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online - that is also a crime. It's happening on your premises and the law must be upheld everywhere."
He said that he was resolved to show that the UK is a country that "will not allow understandable fear to curdle into division and hate in our communities, and that will not permit under any circ*mstances a breakdown in law and order on our streets."
He added it's not protest, it's not legitimate - it's crime, violent disorder" and he said "we will put a stop to it".
He also warned against speculation over the trial: "The price for a trial that is prejudiced is ultimately paid by the victims and their families who are deprived of the justice that they deserve."
What will you do to combat misinformation?published at 16:29
16:29
The prime minister is now taking a question from a reporter from the Times, who asks what he'll do to combat misinformation online.
The reporter also asks if he has a message for Nigel Farage, who shared a video earlier this week asking questions about the Southport attacker.
Starmer says inciting violence online is a criminal offence and "is not a matter of free speech", adding that platform providers must strike a balance.
On Farage, Starmer doesn't mention him directly but says he "won't cast judgement on what others say", adding that his focus is on the victims and their families in Southport.
That brings the PM's news conference to an end. We'll bring you more detail on what he had to say soon.
Decision to name suspect was 'a matter for the court' - Starmerpublished at 16:26
16:26
Image source, PAThe Daily Mail asks Starmer about the naming of the teenager charged over the attack and if he is worried about a summer of riots.
The prime minister says the decision to name the 17-year-old was "a matter for the court".
He says the unrest in recent days was "co-ordinated" and deliberate, and says the individuals were "bent on violence".
Starmer adds it must be met with the "most robust response".
PM: National response was agreed this afternoonpublished at 16:24
16:24
Sky News asks if Starmer is concerned by alleged inconsistencies in terms of the number of arrests made in different cities, and whether different political allegiances are being treated differently.
The PM says there was an agreement this afternoon to pull together a "national response" to maintain consistency and support across the country.
He says that isn't a criticism of any of the forces, but will give them the "support they need more quickly so they can act more robustly".
In terms of prevention, Starmer says he would like to see more use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) which help the authorities identify people who have already been convicted.
Nobody should pretend they're speaking for victims' families, Starmer sayspublished at 16:22
16:22
Image source, ReutersITV asks the prime minister how he can stop the far right, and what his message is to members of the British Muslim community who feel unsafe following attacks on a mosque in Southport.
Starmer says the parents grieving for their children pay the price for those putting out misinformation and interfering in the authorities' work.
He adds the parents suffer the most from a fair trial not happening.
The prime minister goes on to say that nobody should pretend they're speaking for those families.
On the safety concerns among the Muslim community, he says he will take every step necessary to keep them safe.
Those responsible for unrest need to 'feel force of law' - Starmerpublished at 16:19
16:19
A Channel 4 reporter says they spoke to Hartlepool's MP who said Cleveland Police were overwhelmed. Will you fast-track recruitment, the reporter asks Starmer.
The prime minister says they have already made a commitment to neighbourhood policing.
He adds what happens in the next few weeks is a question of co-ordinating the response and sharing intelligence and data.
The PM says those responsible for rioting need to "feel the force of law" and arrests need to be quickly followed by charging.
Are you concerned the violence will spread?published at 16:15
16:15
Image source, ReutersNow to questions from the press.
BBC News's Alex Forsyth asks Starmer if he is concerned whether the violence will spread, and if the government is prepared if it does.
Starmer says "the whole point" of the meeting held with police chiefs today was to co-ordinate a "robust" response.
The starting position of the police should be that this is "violent disorder, not protest," Starmer adds.
Starmer announces new capability to tackle violent disorderpublished at 16:10
16:10Breaking
Image source, PoolThe prime minister has just announced that a new national capability across police forces will be set up to tackle violent disorder.
This includes the wider deployment of facial recognition technology and criminal behaviour orders, he says.
Starmer makes the announcement after unrestacross cities in the UK followed the stabbing attack in Southport.
We’ll bring you more details on this new capability as we get them.
PM denounces 'gang of thugs' in Southport riotpublished at 16:09
16:09
Sir Keir Starmer says the violence that followed the attack in Southport meant its community "had to suffer twice".
Calling the protesters a "gang of thugs", Starmer says: "Make no mistake, whether in Southport, London or Hartlepool these people are showing our country exactly who they are."
Starmer says he will not permit under any circ*mstances a breakdown of law and order on the streets.
"It's not protest. It's not legitimate. It's crime," he says.
He calls the disorder "an assault on the rule of law and execution of justice."
Now is not the time for answering questions - Starmerpublished at 16:08
16:08
Image source, PAThe prime minister continues, saying there must be justice and that the time for answering questions "is not now".
Starmer says he is reminding everyone the price for a trial that is prejudiced is "ultimately paid" by the victims and their families that are "deprived of justice".
Starmer says victims' families' pain is 'unimaginable'published at 16:07
16:07
Sir Keir Starmer starts by saying the victims' families' pain "is unimaginable".
He says they need "space to grieve" and that authorities must be given time to do their job.
He adds there is a time for questions and the families will be at the heart of the process.
Starmer begins news conferencepublished at 16:03
16:03
Keir Starmer has stepped up to the podium to begin his press conference.
The conference is expected to focus on the unrest across parts of the country following Monday's Southport stabbings.
We'll be bringing you the key lines and you can also watch it live at the top of this page.
Southport remains in mourningpublished at 15:53
15:53
Image source, BBC/ Lauren MossIn a short while, we will hear from Keir Starmer who will be speaking at a news conference to discuss the unrest seen across the country, following his meeting with police chiefs this afternoon.
But let us remind ourselves how this story started - three girls who were killed in a knife attack at their dance class in Southport.
They were Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
Eight children and two adults were also injured in the attack.
The town is in mourning, as people continue to leave flowers and teddy bears to pay respect.
Rudakubana has autism diagnosis, court toldpublished at 15:50
15:50
We've been hearing more from our colleagues who were at the hearing in Liverpool Crown Court earlier.
When arguing that the judge should impose reporting restrictions preventing Rudakubana's identification, the prosecution said the suspect had an “autism spectrum disorder diagnosis”, and that he had been “unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time”.
The judge allowed Rudakubana's name to be made public, saying "the balance clearly comes down in favour of the public interest".
Amazing to see community come together, says Hartlepool MPpublished at 15:27
15:27
We've been hearing more from Hartlepool's MP Jonathan Brash on the disorder in the town yesterday.
Brash tells the BBC he believes the demonstration involved people from Hartlepool as well as those from outside the town.
"The behaviour of that small minority of lawless individualsis not in any way, shape or form, reflective of Hartlepool, its people, or itsvalues," he tells BBC Radio 4's World at One programme.
Brash says people are using conversations about asylum and immigration as "an excuse" to engage in violence that "leaves everyone in our community scared".
But he says it's been "amazing" to see Hartlepool's community come together, raise money, and help clear the debris.
“That’s what Hartlepool is about as a community."
Starmer: This is not protest, this is violent disorderpublished at 15:09
15:09
Image source, PA MediaWe can bring you more now from Keir Starmer's meeting with police chiefs in Downing Street.
They are there to discuss violent unrest across parts of the country that has followed Monday's attack in Southport.
Starmer has told police chiefs: "I wanted to send a message to each of you and through you, your officers, to say that this government supports the police, supports what you are doing and to be absolutely clear: this is not protest, this is violent disorder and action will be taken.
"So, this government will make sure you have got the powers you need and will back you in using those powers."
Senior police officers arrive in Downing Streetpublished at 14:50
14:50
Image source, PA MediaSenior police chiefs have arrived at Downing Street for a meeting with Keir Starmer to discuss scenes of unrest around the country.
Last night saw disorder in central London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot, with police also clashing with protesters in Southport on Tuesday.
The prime minister's press office says Starmer would make clear that "criminals who exploit [the right to peaceful protest] in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law".
We'll be covering Starmer's press conference from about 16:00 BST - stick with us for the latest.
Starmer to hold news conference after meeting police chiefspublished at 14:32
14:32
Image source, PA MediaPrime Minister Keir Starmer is set to hold a news conference at 16:00 BST after meeting police chiefs to discuss the public disorder in parts of England that has followed the Southport attack.
There was violent unrest in London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot last night, and a riot in Southport on Tuesday.
Starmer is expected to address the issue and take questions from the media.
We'll be bringing you all the key lines as we get them.
A community comes together in wake of tragedypublished at 14:21
14:21
Helena Rothman
Reporting from SouthportImage source, BBC / HELENA ROTHMANStanding here over the past couple of days it’s beenincredible how this little community has come together.
From the offer ofdrinks and food from total strangers, and people standing together in totalgrief consoling each other.
So many flowers have been placed by people who justwanted to pay their respects but didn’t know the victims or their families atall.
It has been so incredibly moving to see the heartfelt messages that havebeen left by families, schools, police and local businesses.
A community inmourning but coming together supporting each other in grief and kindness.
Image source, BBC / HELENA ROTHMAN
