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British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer summoned the country’s police chiefs Thursday to address violent unrest that has gripped parts of the country this week, shortly after a stabbing attack left three young girls dead, CBS News reported.

Earlier this week, a 17-year-old attacked a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, northwest England, killing the three girls, whose ages ranged between six and nine, as well as wounding 10 others.

The mass stabbing sparked far-right-led demonstrations at a Southport mosque, which authorities said were fueled by social media speculation falsely accusing the suspect of being an asylum seeker and a Muslim.

The protests turned violent with protesters clashing with police, resulting in more than 50 injured officers. Similar violent demonstrations took place outside the prime minister’s office in London and the northeastern England town of Hartlepool this week.

Police arrested more than 100 people in London on charges including violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

Police earlier said the suspect was born in the United Kingdom but did not disclose his religion. They later released his name as Axel Rudakubana, born in Cardiff, Wales to Rwandan parents, the Financial Times noted.

Rudakubana appeared before a court Thursday facing three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. His name was initially withheld due to his age but was later released as he turns 18 on Aug. 7.

The suspect was remanded. A plea hearing is set for October at Liverpool Crown Court.

The attack and subsequent protests sparked criticism from leaders and locals. Starmer described the far-right demonstrations as “thuggery” and accused them of hijacking the community’s grief.

On Thursday, he convened a crisis meeting with police chiefs to address the unrest, emphasizing the protection of the right to peaceful protest, while condemning those who exploit it for violence. He pledged the government’s support for police actions against such disorder.

The attack is seen as the worst mass casualty event involving children in the UK since the 1996 Dunblane massacre, in which 16 children and a teacher were killed.

It has reignited discussions on knife crime, which accounts for about 40 percent of homicides in the United Kingdom, though mass stabbings remain rare.