A former senior Metropolitan Police officer has condemned people for spreading "reckless and deliberate" false information about the Southport attack suspect.

In the aftermath of Monday's fatal attack - in which three girls were killed - posts on X shared a fake name of the suspect, racking up millions of views.

On Tuesday night, anger over the attack boiled over into riots in Southport. Since then, violent disorder has spread to other parts of the country, including in central London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot on Wednesday night.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today programme, former Ch Supt Dal Babu says: "People are setting up accounts, they're putting false information. They don't really care around the accuracy of this information."

Image source, PA Media

Let's take a closer look at the disorder in central London last night, which saw more than 100 arrests.

The Met said it engaged with organisers of the protest which it said was "badged as ‘Enough is Enough’", and it placed conditions on those participating ahead of time.

In a statement before the protest, Supt Neil Holyoak said it was "understandable" for the public to have "strong feelings" about the "shocking incident" in Southport on Monday.

But he said the "subsequent violent, unlawful disorder that unfolded [in Southport] was completely unacceptable and driven by misinformation".

Protesters clashed with police on Whitehall, where some demonstrators were seen launching flares towards the gates of Downing Street and at a statue of Winston Churchill.

People could be heard chanting phrases such as "stop the boats" and "save our kids" as they threw bottles and cans at officers.

Some officers suffered minor injuries and more than 100 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions, police said.

Image source, PA Media

A 17-year-old male charged with the murder of three girls at the dance class in Southport is to appear in court later.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed event on Monday.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, has also been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and the possession of a bladed article.

Merseyside Police announced the charges during a news conference just after midnight.

As we've been reporting, several police officers were injured and a police car was set on fire in Hartlepool last night during disorder linked to the stabbing in Southport on Monday.

Eight people were arrested in relation to public order offences, Cleveland Police said, and further arrests are expected in the coming days.

The force said a visible police presence would remain the in area.

You can see images from last night below.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Helena Rothman
Reporting from Southport

More flowers and tributes have arrived at the bottom of Hart Street, where the three girls were killed at a dance class on Monday.

Local residents protected the teddies that had been left from overnight rain. They have now brought bag loads of them back and are laying them out on the street.

Image source, BBC / Helena Rothman

Two people have been arrested after a protest in Manchester last night.

Objects were thrown at members of the public and police in Oldham Road, in Newton Heath.

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

Two men, aged 18 and 25, were arrested for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

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

As we've been reporting, there was also disorder in London and Hartlepool last night, and a riot in Southport on Tuesday, following Monday's knife attack.

Image source, EPA

As we've been reporting, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet senior police officers in Downing Street this afternoon after two nights of violence, following the stabbing attack in Southport on Monday.

Starmer is expected to praise the bravery of police officers in Southport, and in the subsequent protests.

The PM is also expected to encourage officers to use their powers to "stop mindless violence in its tracks".

The prime minister's press office said: "While the right to peaceful protest must be protected at all costs, he [the PM] will be clear that criminals who exploit that right in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law."

Peter Harris
Reporting from Hartlepool

Image source, PA Media

A police car stood burned out in a side street with the pungent smell of fuel filling the air.

Just one of the shocking results of a night of violence, vandalism and fear in Hartlepool last night.

Riot police blocked off streets throughout the evening, periodically facing missiles before moving forward to clear the area.

At one point officers shouted a warning to leave before charging to move anyone in their path.

Some of those present claimed a protest over immigration had turned ugly with a shop being attacked and rocks being thrown.

By 23:00 BST the atmosphere was one of fear mixed with hostility with what appeared to be hundreds on the streets.

As many of the riot police appeared to withdraw around midnight, the crowds dispersed and the town centre residential streets fell largely silent again. The clear up and the investigations come next.

Image source, PA Media

As we mentioned in our last post, protesters clashed with police in a number of places across the country last night.

In central London - where more than 100 were arrested - protesters were seen launching flares towards the gates of Downing Street and at a statue of Winston Churchill.

Chants of "Save our kids", "We want our country back" and "Stop the boats" were heard.

The Met said it made arrests for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker and breach of protest conditions.

In Hartlepool, eight people were arrested after several officers were injured and a police car was set on fire.

Disorder and intimidating behaviour was also reported in Manchester and Aldershot. No arrests have been made there.

It follows a riot in Southport on Tuesday night - hours after a vigil to honour the victims of Monday’s knife attack - with more than 50 officers injured and a mosque attacked.

Image source, Reuters

Alex Therrien
Live reporter

Image source, PA

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will host senior police leaders at Downing Street later today after protests following the fatal stabbing of three girls at a dance class in Southport spread across the country last night.

More than 100 people were arrested in central London on Wednesday evening as officers clashed with protesters on Whitehall, close to Downing Street, during a demonstration.

There was also unrest in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot. In Hartlepool, eight people were arrested in relation to public order offences after glass bottles and eggs were thrown at police, and a car was set on fire.

Starmer says he will offer senior police leaders his "full backing" in the face of ongoing unrest.

It comes as a 17-year-old charged with the murder of three girls will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court later today. He has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder.

Eight other children were stabbed on Monday during the dance class and five of them remain in a critical condition.

Stay with us for live updates as we continue to follow the story.