Masked rioters break into hotel housing asylum seekers as violence leaves 10 police officers injured

UK

Chairs have been hurled at police and windows smashed as anti-immigration rioters broke into a hotel in Rotherham.

Objects including pieces of wood and chairs have been thrown at the Holiday Inn Hotel and at police officers who are lined up in front of the building.

At least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away by colleagues.

UK protests latest: Masked group smash windows at hotel

Police, including some on horseback, had been trying to separate the crowd from the hotel entrance, but a large group forced their way inside after smashing a glass door.

The hotel is believed to have been used to house migrants – but it is not clear if any remain living there after the previous Conservative administration vowed to close more than one hundred this year.

A protester uses a fire extinguisher on police officers as trouble flares during an anti-immigration protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Picture date: Sunday August 4, 2024.
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A man uses a fire extinguisher on police officers as trouble flares during an anti-immigration protest. Pic: PA

After breaking in through a window, the rioters attempted to set the hotel on fire, before blockading the exit with bins. Riot police were able to move them away from the entrance, but the group moved around the side, throwing rocks and debris at the windows.

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Several men then attacked police cars, including with a riot shield, stolen from an officer. Police have now formed a line around the hotel, preventing any of the group from getting inside.

A man holds a fire extinguisher in the lobby of the hotel as seen through closed glass doors as trouble flares during an anti-immigration protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Picture date: Sunday August 4, 2024.
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A man holds a fire extinguisher in the lobby of the hotel. Pic: PA

Violence in Middlesbrough

Bricks and other objects have been thrown at a line of police in riot gear by a group of demonstrators, including some masked, in Middlesbrough.

Protesters also pushed burning wheelie bins at officers with shields, leaving the road strewn with smoking rubbish.

Cleveland Police said “a number of arrests” have been made since the protest started in Middlesbrough at around 2pm.

More than 300 people marched in the town carrying a banner saying: “Tom Jones is Welsh, Axel Rudakubana [Southport stabbings suspect] isn’t” while chanting “We want our country back” as they made their way through the town centre.

At one point, police used dogs to keep the group back and stop them breaking through and running ahead of the officers patrolling the march.

Hundreds have gathered in Middlesbrough. Pic: PA
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Hundreds have gathered in Middlesbrough. Pic: PA

At least two people were taken away in handcuffs within the first half hour, while several pieces of slate were thrown, along with vapes and full plastic bottles.

Some people kicked bollards into the road so that police vehicles driving ahead of the group could not get through, and one man sat on the bonnet of a police car to stop it from moving.

Businesses, including McDonalds, locked their doors as hundreds walked down the streets.

A man is detained by police in Middlesbrough. Pic: PA
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A man is detained by police in Middlesbrough. Pic: PA

Police given extra powers

It comes as a Section 34 dispersal notice was put in place in Bolton, giving officers extra powers to deal with anyone causing anti-social behaviour.

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Windows are smashed as trouble flares during an anti-immigration protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Picture date: Sunday August 4, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Southport. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
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Windows are smashed as trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot. Pic: PA

Officers tend to a wounded colleague inside the Holiday Inn. Pic: PA
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Officers tend to a wounded colleague inside the Holiday Inn Express. Pic: PA

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) put a Section 34 in place in parts of Manchester on Saturday, as did police in Liverpool, Southport and Blackpool.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given police his “full backing” to take any action necessary to respond to “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” after scenes of disorder in England and Northern Ireland this week.

He said on Sunday at a news conference that those taking part in the violence will “regret” it and will “face the full force of the law”.

Sir Keir said: “The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow.

“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.

“This is not a protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”

Outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. Pic: PA
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Disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. Pic: PA

The Holiday Inn was set on fire. Pic: PA
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The Holiday Inn Express was set on fire. Pic: PA

More than 100 people have been arrested after riots broke out in the wake of the death of three young girls at a dance studio in Southport.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said people involved in the clashes “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder has no place on Britain’s streets”.

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