A far-right mob set fire to a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers as extremists continue to run riot across the country with Muslims and anti-racists countering the violent mob.
The unrest, which began after an attack in Southport, has spread to over a dozen locations in the last few days.
Muslims and anti-racist groups organised counter-demonstrations in several towns. In Liverpool, police prevented clashes between far-right rioters and the antifascists protecting the city.
In Rotherham, around 700 rioters attempted to set fire to a Holiday Inn Express housing asylum seekers. They threw wood, bottles, and chairs at the outnumbered police, who used riot shields to protect themselves.
At least 10 officers were injured, including one left unconscious with a head injury.
Reports indicated another mob attacking a hotel that housed refugees in Tamworth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence: “I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we’ve seen this weekend. Those who participated will face the full force of the law. This is not protest, but organised, violent thuggery.”
“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 protest. It is organised, violent thuggery. “
This statement is thought to be in reference to far-right Islamophobe Tommy Robinson, who encouraged the rioting before leaving the country.
Starmer said that people in this country have a right to be safe. “And yet, we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted. Attacks on Mosques. Other minority communities singled out. Nazi salutes in the street,” he added.
Additional help for masjids
As the riots continued, home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced additional security for masjids at risk of violent disorder.
“In light of the disgraceful threats and attacks that local mosques have also faced in many communities, the government is providing rapid additional support through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, alongside the support from local police forces and we repeat that anyone involved in this disorder and violence will face the full force of the law,” said Cooper
“As a nation we will not tolerate criminal behaviour, dangerous extremism, and racist attacks that go against everything our country stands for,” she added.
Humza Yousaf, the former first minister of Scotland, labelled the far-right riot in Rotherham a “pogrom” against Muslims.
Yousaf urged Starmer to deploy the army as violence escalates across England and Northern Ireland.
He tweeted: “How much worse does it have to get before the army is sent in @Keir_Starmer?
“The Police clearly do not have a handle on this situation. This pogrom against Muslims and People of Colour is going to cost lives unless these far-right thugs are stopped.”
The violence started on Tuesday when hundreds of masked rioters besieged a Southport mosque, hurled plant pots, bricks, and empty bins at riot police, and set a police van on fire.
False online rumours about the suspect of the stabbing and killing of three children in Southport triggered the racially fueled attacks.
