Asylum seekers are “scared to go out” after migrant hotels have been set alight by mobs amid violent riots in Rotherham.
Protesters draped in England and Union Jack flags gathered outside the South Yorkshire hotel and then proceeded to begin smashing windows at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, which is being used to accommodate around 130 asylum seekers.
Around 500 anti-immigration demonstrators clashed with police who had a very heavy presence at the hotel. Objects such as pieces of wood and chairs were thrown at the building and officers.
A group of eight rioters also set the building on fire and blocked an emergency exit, before entering the building where they ran through the corridors and assaulted asylum seekers.
Asylum seekers are ‘scared to go out’ after the violence
PA
South Yorkshire police said at least 10 officers had been injured, including one who was left unconscious with a head injury.
Horrified asylum seekers watched in terror as the rioters ravaged through corridors shouting obscenities at them.
“They came into this floor and hit me until the police drove them away down the corridor”, one migrant told The Times.
Another said: “I was taking some tea when they ran down shouting ‘f*** f*** f***’. A shirtless man was shouting, and making so much noise. They broke the windows. There were eight on my floor, the first floor.”
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Around 500 anti-immigration demonstrators clashed with police who had a very heavy presence at the hotel
PA
Objects thrown at the hotel as trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in RotherhamPAOne man, a 27-year-old from Botswana, said: “I wanted to cry … Maybe if they met me somewhere like in the shop they’ll do something bad to me. I’m scared to go out of the hotel.”
The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the rioters: “The criminal, violent attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham is utterly appalling. Deliberately setting fire to a building with people known to be inside.
“South Yorkshire police have full government support for the strongest action against those responsible.”
Meanwhile, English Defence League founder and former leader Tommy Robinson has claimed the widespread anarchy over the weekend is “not on him”.
Following the fatal stabbings of three young girls in Southport last week, violent unrest has broken out across the UK led by the far-right which has seen more than 420 people arrested.
Commenting on the scenes of bedlam across Britain, the Prime Minister said: “Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.
Trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in RotherhamPA
Keir Starmer raged at ‘organised, violent thuggery’ after a mob stormed a migrant hotel in Rotherham
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“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.”
Downing Street has since confirmed that there will be an emergency Cobra meeting today, where ministers, civil servants, the police, intelligence officers, and others will meet to discuss the ongoing violence.
Faith leaders across Merseyside have called on communities to “remain calm and peaceful” in the aftermath of the Southport killings, saying some people “have sought to use the tragedy to create division and hate”.
After the murder of the three young girls, violent protests broke out by vexed Britons who voiced their frustrations at immigration, following false claims that the suspect was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat.