Prime Minister says Southport rioters will face full brunt of the law

Emergency services including 39 police officers have been treated for injuries after being attacked by rioters in Southport last night.

North West Ambulance Service said they treated 39 patients in total, all of which were police officers.

27 were taken to hospital and 12 were treated and discharged at scene.

Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos, with dogs named Zoe and Ike suffering leg injuries from bricks thrown at them.

Police say those involved in the unrest – who they believe included supporters of the English Defence League – set alight cars belonging to members of the public, threw bricks at a local mosque, damaged a local convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.

This morning Keir Starmer the Prime Minister said: “The people of Southport are reeling after the horror inflicted on them yesterday.

“They deserve our support and our respect. Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting outside a mosque in Southport as “violent attacks from thugs on the streets”, which she branded “appalling