Teen faces UK court charged with murder of three girls

More than 100 people were arrested during protests near the prime minister's residence. (AP PHOTO)

A 17-year-old boy has appeared in an English court charged with the murder of three young girls in a knife attack at a summer dance class that has shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests.

Axel Rudakubana first appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday over Monday's incident at a "Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop" summer holiday event for children in the seaside town of Southport.

He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one of possession of a bladed article.

His case was later heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where he sat in the dock covering his face with a grey sweatshirt and did not speak.

A prison van takes a 17-year-old boy to Liverpool Magistrates Court
The 17-year-old boy was taken to a Liverpool Magistrates Court charged with murder.

Judge Andrew Menary did not impose reporting restrictions on Rudakubana's identity, which had not previously been reported because he is under 18.

Rudakubana was remanded in custody before a further hearing in October.

Large disturbances broke out in Southport, in England's northwest, on Tuesday after false information was spread on social media that the suspect in the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant, with anti-immigrant protesters descending on the town from elsewhere.

Police said the attack was not terrorism-related and the suspect was born in Britain, quashing speculation on his origins.

As well as the killing of three girls aged six to nine, Monday's attack in the town left eight other children with stab wounds.

Two of the children were discharged in Alder Hey Children's Hospital and five others continue to be treated there, all of whom are in a stable condition.

In London on Wednesday, thousands gathered near the prime minister's Downing Street residence, shouting, "Save our kids", "We want our country back" and "Stop the boats".

Police said on Thursday that 111 people had been arrested for offences including violent disorder and assaults on police officers, adding investigations are continuing.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced as "violent thugs" those who clashed with police over the knife attack, saying they would "feel the full force of the law".

More than 50 police officers were hurt in the protests in Southport on Tuesday, when demonstrators set police vans on fire and dismantled garden walls to hurl bricks at officers.

In London on Wednesday, protesters threw flares and smoke canisters towards Downing Street.

Local people in Southport denounced the violence.

Tributes on a footpath for the victims of the Southport stabbing
People in the Southport community have laid toys and floral tributes at the site of the incident.

"What I saw last night was absolutely appalling ... It was devastating and it's kind of taken away from actually what's gone on, which is the tragedy of those deaths," resident David Burgess told Sky News.

Hundreds of people in the community have taken part in vigils to mourn the slain children, and laid bouquets of flowers at the site of the incident.

Starmer, Britain's former chief prosecutor who was elected on July 4, was due to meet police leaders on Thursday to offer them the government's full backing following the violence.

"While the right to peaceful protest must be protected at all costs, he will be clear that criminals who exploit that right in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law," his office said.

Taylor Swift fans have raised more than Stg325,000 ($A635,000) to help families of the victims and health services.

The American singer said she was in shock over the "loss of life and innocence" and at a "complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families".

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