It has been two weeks since the knife attack in Southport where three young girls lost their lives.
Misinformation about the suspected perpetrator – in which an asylum seeker was singled out – led to the worst riots in over a decade.
– It was the worst thing I have seen in my life. They chanted against immigrants and were looking for non-whites, says Southport resident Karl Strohmeier to TV4 Nyheterna, who is there.
Britain is divided over migration and refugees. Where a small majority wants it to decrease.
But when it comes to the riots – where asylums, mosques and police were attacked – there is very little sympathy. Only seven percent say they can understand the violence.
“There are no words”
TV4 News is on location in central Southport. There is a constant stream of people with flowers in their hands. A memorial site has sprung up where the three girls who were murdered are remembered and paid tribute.
Gina and David Edwards are sitting on a bench. They have come to show their support for the families.
– There are no words to describe it. It’s shocking, says Gina.
The two are married, retired owners of a pub. And they belong to the one half of the British population who think there are too many migrants coming at the moment.
“Just needed a reason to fight”
But when it comes to the riots and violence – fueled by right-wing extremists on Platform X – they have no sympathy whatsoever.
– Such people just needed a reason to go out and fight. It could have been anything, says Gina.
She adds that she hopes everyone will be jailed.
The British justice system is now working at full speed to quickly prosecute those who took part in the riots.
Quick court cases may have had an effect
Over 900 people were arrested during and after the riots and 466 have already been charged. Most recently, a 12-year-old boy was filmed by the police throwing rocks and breaking into a store.
Perhaps the swift legal cases – and the large demonstrations against right-wing extremism – have had an effect. This weekend there was some minor violence in Northern Ireland, but nothing in England.
Jessica Lee in Southport really hopes the problems are over.
She is a third-generation migrant from Hong Kong, and in the chaotic days after the attack, she was afraid to leave her apartment.
– I definitely stayed indoors and I felt that was where I felt safest, she says.