Mayor warns of 'mob rule' after knife attack disorder

Disorder broke out in London (above), Manchester, Hartlepool and Aldershot on Wednesday

The mayor of Greater Manchester has cautioned against "mob rule" inspired by "half truths" on social media after a demonstration over the fatal stabbings in Southport led to arrests in the region.

Two men were arrested in Manchester after objects were thrown at the public and police in the disturbance in Oldham Road, Newton Heath on Wednesday.

Greater Manchester Police said their "early intervention" meant there was not "any serious injury or damage".

Andy Burnham said people were entitled to peaceful protest, but added the city region was "better than this".

The mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe (left), who died along with Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King, called for an end to violence after Tuesday's riot

Two men, aged 18 and 25, have been arrested for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. They remain in custody at this time for questioning.

Police are also investigating a related report of an assault on a bus driver.

People living close to the Holiday Inn in Newton Heath where the violence broke have said they were upset and frightened by what happened.

Samantha Skelton said she saw crowds in balaclavas shouting and throwing rocks and bottles before being chased by riot police.

She added the violence scared her elderly neighbour.

'Difficult times'

The disorder followed the killings of three girls at a dance class in Southport, where eight other children and two adults were also seriously injured on Monday.

A 17-year-old boy, Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, has been charged with their murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.

Mr Burnham said the city region "cannot descend into mob rule inspired by social media where half truths and half facts are whipping people up".

He said there needed to be a "return to calm", and said the focus should be on the three bereaved families and others who have loved ones in hospital.

More than 100 people have been arrested in London as protests broke out across England on Wednesday, including in Hartlepool and Aldershot.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would meet senior police leaders to offer them his "full backing" in the face of ongoing unrest.

Mr Burnham added the police should be thanked for trying to keep people safe "in these difficult times", and not "pelted with rocks and bottles".

"Nothing justifies that at all."