For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Sir Keir Starmer has warned far-right thugs participating in violence they would “regret” it after mobs set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and Tamworth.
Addressing the nation following days of chaos across England, the prime minister 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.”
It comes as masked rioters assembled outside Holiday Inn hotels in both Rotherham and Tamworth and clashed with police. Thugs in both places smashed windows as they attempted to gain entry to the hotels before setting fires.
At least 147 people were arrested after riots rocked major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and Stoke on Saturday, leaving destruction in their wake.
Have you been affected by this? Email [email protected]
Watch: Fire breaks out and arrests made during clashes between far-right and police in Rotherham
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 23:10
Rioters cheer as Tamworth hotel set on fire
Shocking footage has shown far-right rioters cheering as they set fire to a Holiday Inn housing refugees in Tamworth.
It is the second hotel that has been targeted by violent mobs today alone. Tamworth Police have urged the public to avoid the area.
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 22:36
Police officer injured outside Tamworth hotel
A police officer has been injured outside a hotel in Tamworth as officers continue to deal with “violent acts of thuggery”, Staffordshire Police said.
A large group of individuals is in the area with people throwing projectiles, smashing windows, starting fires and targeting police.
“We’re urging members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn, Tamworth, as specialist officers continue to deal with violent acts of thuggery,” the force said.
“Officers are working valiantly to keep the public safe. Specialist drone surveillance and the national police air service have been sweeping the area as our efforts to identify those involved continue.”
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 22:06
Police urge public to avoid Tamworth Holiday Inn
Tamworth Police have urged members of the public to avoid the Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth as footage appears to show far-right thugs setting fire to the building.
The force wrote on X: “We’re urging members of the public to avoid the area around the Holiday Inn, Tamworth, as specialist officers continue to deal with violent acts of thuggery.”
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 21:51
Tamworth MP called to end use of Holiday Inn hotels for asylum seekers days ago
The MP for Tamworth called to end the use of Holiday Inn hotels to house asylum seekers just days before a far-right mob targeted it.
Footage circulated on social media on Saturday showed a crowd clashing with riot police outside a Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth – the second hotel targeted in today’s riots.
Sarah Edwards, Labour MP for Tamworth and Villages, told the House of Commons days ago that “residents of Tamworth want their hotel back” as she called for the government to “end the use of the Holiday Inn for asylum purposes”.
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 21:42
Watch: Fire breaks out and arrests made during clashes between far-right and police in Rotherham
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 21:26
Another migrant hotel targeted in Tamworth
Another Holiday Inn hotel is being targeted by far-right mobsters in Tamworth, near Birmingham.
Footage shared online showed a mob clashing with police as they attempted to gain entry to the building which is being used to house asylum-seekers.
Another horrifying video shows the mob gaining entry to the building through a side door before starting a fire.
In a statement, Tamworth Police said it was “aware and responding proactively to protest activity in Tamworth today”, adding that officers had been deployed “in specialist public order equipment”.
It added: “Robust action will be taken against those responsible for violence and disorder. Updates will be provided on this page.
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 21:26
A Black man beaten by a mob, an Asian man stabbed at a train station and mosques under siege – just some of the horrifying racist incidents carried out by far-right thugs in England this week.
The country has been engulfed by racist riots over the past few days, in the wake of the killings of three young girls in Southport on Monday. Protests in cities including Liverpool, Leeds and Belfast descended into chaos over the weekend, with far right thugs clashing with riot police and multiple incidents of ethnic minorities attacked on the streets.
Sparked by Islamophobic and racist sentiments, rioters have pelted bricks, chairs and bottles at officers, mosques have been attacked, shops looted and numerous community facilities across the country, including a library and Citizens Advice Bureau building, have been torched in the violence.
The Independent’s Race Correspondent Nadine White reports:
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 21:00
Full report: Starmer warns far right thugs ‘will regret’ taking part in riots
The prime minister’s powerful statement came as a mob stormed a hotelfull of asylum seekers waiting for their applications to be heard in Rotherham and set fire to it knowing people were inside.
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 20:40
Pictured: Rioters throw wooden fence at police
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 20:20
