POLICE officers will be conducting “high-visibility patrols” across North Wales this weekend following events in Southport and elsewhere earlier this week.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with murdering three girls and attempting to murder 10 other people at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29.

Southport then endured an evening of unrest on July 30 following a vigil in memory of the victims, with protesters gathering near a mosque in the town.

Scenes of violent disorder have also taken place this week in places such as Southend and Hartlepool.

Officers from North Wales Police were present at the riots in Southport on July 30 to provide support for their colleagues based in Merseyside.

Today (August 2), a North Wales Police spokesperson said: “Following this week’s events in Southport, and several subsequent incidents nationwide, our officers will be conducting high visibility patrols across the force area this weekend to reassure the public.

“We respect the democratic right to protest. However, we would urge anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully.

“Anyone attending a protest or attending in the pursuance of protest who acts in a violent, threatening or disorderly manner can expect to be dealt with in accordance with the criminal law and police powers.”

More than 50 officers, as well as multiple police dogs, were injured in Southport on July 30.

Numerous arrests have since been made in connection with the riots.

Merseyside Police said rioters destroyed garden walls to use the bricks as missiles to attack officers and set cars belonging to the public on fire at random.

Those involved also threw bricks at a mosque, damaged a convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.