UN refugee agency chief calls violent protests in UK 'shocking'

GENEVA (AA) – The chief of UN refugee agency on Tuesday described the ongoing unrest in the UK, which began after the fatal stabbing of three young girls in the northwestern English town of Southport last week, as shocking.

The violence since then has strained community relations and sparked additional episodes of disorder in towns and cities across England.

"The violence seen in the UK in the past few days, including against asylum seekers, is shocking — and so are the fake news which fueled it," Filippo Grandi said on X.

"Everyone without distinction has the right to feel safe in their communities and to live free from hate, fear and intolerance."

Anti-immigrant protesters descended on Southport from elsewhere, attacking police and targeting a mosque following the incident.

More than 150 people were arrested during violent disorder in various UK towns and cities over the weekend.

The violence marked some of the worst rioting the UK has seen in recent years.

A hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, a town in South Yorkshire, was targeted Sunday by far-right rioters on the sixth day of violent disorder, leaving it damaged and people in shock.