Exclusive

Inside the Telegram groups apparently used to plan unrest after Southport stabbings

Sky News identifies a Telegram user selling flares and fireworks, and sharing a map of local mosques.

By Sam Doak, OSINT Producer

Friday 2 August 2024 21:07, UK

Crowds gather outside mosque in Southport
Image: Crowds gather outside mosque in Southport
Why you can trust Sky News

Fireworks and flares are now being advertised for sale on a Telegram messenger group that was used to call for a street presence in Southport in advance of this week's riot.

Sky News has identified the individual responsible.

Follow latest:
Updates as police deal with protests and disorder

'If this is the wrong channel join ours'

The Telegram user joined a group on the messaging app on the morning of 30 July, sharing an AI-generated image of masked men standing in front of flaming emergency service vehicles.

Prior to his joining, another user had shared a poster urging people to protest in Southport.

When he joined, his second post was a call for people to share contacts that could help with transporting people to Southport.

He told the group: "More numbers we can get up there the better."

When another user expressed concern about "vigilante stuff", he responded by saying "if this is the wrong channel join ours," while providing a link.

User identified by Sky News directs members of a chat to a new channel after a member expresses reservations about vigilante action.
Image: User identified by Sky News directs members of a chat to a new channel after a member expresses reservations about vigilante action.

Maps, fireworks and timings shared in group

They continued posting in the first group, sharing a list of materials for sale including rockets, Roman candles and flares.

They posted a series of pictures in the chat, which included fireworks bundled in their original packaging.

User identified by Sky News discussing the sale of flares, directing to his Instagram account.
Image: User identified by Sky News discussing the sale of flares, directing to his Instagram account.
Fireworks offered for sale by the user identified by Sky News.
Image: Fireworks offered for sale by the user identified by Sky News.

Later posts concern plans for a street presence outside of Southport.

In the other, newly created channel, a map of local mosques was posted alongside a photograph of a fire and details of a time to gather.

Like in the first group, fireworks and flares were offered for sale, and a price list was shared.

Locations of Liverpool Mosques shared in channel advertising fireworks and flares, above followed by an image of a fire.
Image: Locations of Liverpool Mosques shared in channel advertising fireworks and flares, above followed by an image of a fire.

Clues link to previous channel

A forwarded message from a Telegram channel that has the same username and profile picture as the account that posted in the first group was also sent.

This channel has existed since February. While it recently pivoted to advertising fireworks and posting about Southport, older messages provide some further context.

Describing itself as a promotional channel, before the unrest in Southport it mainly advertised cannabis and related items. It is unclear whether the channel was promoting drugs for sale directly or was advertising on behalf of third parties.

The groups and channels used.
Image: The groups and channels used.
The channel was previously used in part to promote the sale of cannabis products.
Image: The channel was previously used in part to promote the sale of cannabis products.

The username of the account and promotional channel match an Instagram page that sells stickers, AI-generated graphic designs, and packaging. It links back to the Telegram channel in its bio.

The Telegram and Instagram handle, which is highly distinctive, reveals Companies House filings for a packaging company of the same name. It is registered to an address in Liverpool, which is where the account has been directing people to gather.

Companies House documentation identifying Joe Banlin as the director of the company tied to the Instagram account and Telegram channel
Image: Companies House documentation identifying Joe Banlin as the director of the company tied to the Instagram account and Telegram channel

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Company director's denial

The company's sole director is listed as 27-year-old Joe Banlin.

Running the name of the company through a reverse search tool in an email address format returns details of a Google Maps account labelled with the name Joe, providing further confirmation.

Sky News approached Mr Banlin through his Telegram account, where he responded initially by asking how we had found his name.

When asked why he was selling fireworks, had tried to organise transport, and shared details of local mosques, Mr Banlin referred to the recent mass stabbings in Southport.

When asked about the cannabis products listed on his Telegram channel, he said: "We advertise third party nothing to do with us."

He denied inciting violence and making threats.

After being told Sky News intended to identify him, Banlin declined to provide further comment.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

The Data and Forensics team is a multi-skilled unit dedicated to providing transparent journalism from Sky News. We gather, analyse and visualise data to tell data-driven stories. We combine traditional reporting skills with advanced analysis of satellite images, social media and other open source information. Through multimedia storytelling, we aim to better explain the world while also showing how our journalism is done.

Related Topics