Nationwide Security Tightens Amid Violent Protests Following Tragic Stabbing Incident

British police will deploy extensively across the country this weekend, and mosques are tightening their security following the rioting and violent incidents since Monday's killing of three children in northwest England, officials announced. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of the girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport, a normally quiet seaside town.

Violent reactions erupted in Southport, Hartlepool, London, and elsewhere due to false social media claims that the suspect in the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant. To quash the misinformation, police emphasized that the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was born in Britain.

Over a dozen anti-immigration protests are planned across the UK, including near mosques in Liverpool on Friday evening. Counter-protests by anti-racism activists are also organized. Mosques across the country will be on alert, with improved fire safety, security camera surveillance, and entrance protections, said the Muslim Council of Britain.

Zara Mohammed, the council's secretary general, noted that representatives from hundreds of mosques agreed to strengthen security measures in a Thursday briefing. Concerns grew for the safety of worshippers after threatening calls were received. "There's a sense within the community to be cautious, but not frightened," Mohammed expressed in a Zoom interview.

Authorities said British police chiefs have agreed to enhance resources over the weekend. "We will have surge capacity in our intelligence, briefing, and local community resources," Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, told BBC Radio. "There will be additional prosecutors to ensure swift justice."

In Southport, where anti-immigration protesters attacked police, set vehicles on fire, and hurled bricks at a mosque, authorities ensured they have robust plans and resources to handle any disorder. "We are fully prepared to deal with anyone causing disorder," said Assistant Chief Constable Jenny Sims of Merseyside Police.

Police in Northern Ireland also planned a proportionate response after learning of plans by various groups to block roads and stage protests at an Islamic Centre in Belfast over the weekend.

(With inputs from agencies.)