Protests turn violent in Sunderland as UK unrest spreads after Southport killings

Police officers stand near a "Road closed" sign, on the junction of Tithebarn Road and Hart Street, near the scene where a teenage suspect was arrested after people were stabbed in Southport, Britain, August 1, 2024. REUTERS/Manon Cruz

LONDON (Reuters) -Protesters attacked police and started fires in the northeast English city of Sunderland on Friday as violence spread to another northern city following Monday's killing of three children in Southport.

Anti-immigrant demonstrators threw stones at police in riot gear near a mosque in the city before overturning vehicles, setting a car alight and starting a fire next to a police office, the BBC said.