The recent protests in Southport, England, following the tragic killing of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event took a violent turn when journalist Jack Hadfield was brutally assaulted and robbed by demonstrators. Hadfield, a writer for The Publica, recounted the harrowing experience to Fox News Digital, detailing how he was mobbed, had his phone charger stolen, and was punched so hard that a piece of his tooth fell out.
The chaos unfolded as Hadfield covered the protest on Tuesday evening, which had already turned violent with police cars being burned and bricks being thrown at a mosque. Despite the escalating situation, Hadfield continued to document the events, moving back and forth between the opposing groups to capture footage.
However, the situation took a dangerous turn when an individual recognized Hadfield as a journalist and incited a group to attack him. He was surrounded by a mob of 10-15 men who demanded he delete images and videos from his phone. Despite being pushed to the ground and robbed of his phone charger, Hadfield managed to hold onto his device and escape to a nearby police line for safety.
The police initially refused to escort Hadfield to safety, directing him back towards the crowd of protesters. It wasn’t until he found more helpful officers further down the road that he was able to wait for a friend to pick him up and take him to the hospital for treatment.
Despite the traumatic experience, Hadfield remains determined to continue covering on-the-ground events and sees his chipped tooth as a “battle scar.” He was treated for his injuries in Manchester, where doctors confirmed he did not suffer any serious injuries.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face while reporting on volatile situations and the importance of ensuring their safety in such environments.
