Violence broke out at a protest outside a hotel near the borough last night, Wednesday, in the wake of the horrific fatal stabbings of three children in Southport.

The protest was held outside the Holiday Inn on Oldham Road in Newton Heath, near Failsworth at around 6pm, where it is reported that asylum seekers are currently staying.

The incident is believed to have happened in response to the horrific tragedy in Southport on Monday in which three children were killed in a knife attack.

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered a dance class on Hart Street in Southport.

Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five of them in critical condition – while two adults were also critically hurt.

Other protests also took place across the country, including in London where more than 100 people were arrested, with violence also breaking out in Hartlepool and Aldershot.

The protest in Newton Heath caused disruption to people trying to travel on Oldham Road.

In a video on social media, officers were heard saying people were free to travel on the route but were advised there was a risk involved and recommended against it.

The group of protestors followed the asylum seekers to the hotel, and could be heard in videos shouting verbal chantsThe group of protestors followed the asylum seekers to the hotel, and could be heard in videos shouting verbal chants (Image: Facebook)

Witnesses said the group of people at the protest began to throw "rocks and bottles" at the police officers.

A video online appears to show people shouting verbal abuse at asylum seekers entering the building, who were escorted onto the premises by police officers.

Images show tactical aid police officers at the scene, pushing back the crowdImages show tactical aid police officers at the scene, pushing back the crowd (Image: Facebook)

Scenes in further video footage show men with English flags shouting "go home" and "you're not welcome here" towards the asylum seekers. 

Multiple police vans were in attendance with videos on social media showing officers in riot gear forming a barricade to push back the crowds. 

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "At around 6pm (on Wednesday) our officers were called to reports of a demonstration on Oldham Road in Newton Heath.

"Local patrols supported by specialised units, were deployed and dispersed the group after objects were thrown, towards the police and public.

 

"Due to the early intervention from our officers this criminal behaviour thankfully didn’t cause any serious injury or damage.

"Two men aged 18 and 25 were later arrested for violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker and remain in custody at this time for questioning.

"Enquiries into a further related report of an assault of a bus driver is ongoing at this stage.

"Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 1369 of 31/07/2024."

Meanwhile, Merseyside Police has confirmed that a 17-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of murders, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in connection with the Southport incident.

A force spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice; 10 counts of attempted murder; and possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday."

"The 17-year-old cannot be named for legal reasons, as he is under 18.

"He has been remanded in custody to appear on Thursday, August 1 at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, Derby Square."