At least one injured officer in riot gear has been carried away by colleagues, as the disorder outside a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham has become increasingly more violent.
People wearing masks have smashed windows, while objects, including pieces of wood and chairs, have been thrown at police officers who are lined up in front of the building.
Key events
Separate hotel in Tamworth under attack, reports
A separate hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire is under attack, according to reports.
Tamworth Police confirmed it was “aware and responding proactively to protest activity in Tamworth”.
Staffordshire Police officers are deployed in specialist public order equipment, it said.
Numerous videos of the demonstrations being shared online claimed to have been filmed outside a Holiday Inn Express.
The spokesperson added: “Robust action will be taken against those responsible for violence and disorder.”
Natasha Tsangarides, associate director of advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said: “It’s horrific to see the scenes of violence in Rotherham and across the country targeting refugees and other minority communities.
“Make no mistake, this is no accident. This is the result of years of divisive politics, demonisation and dehumanisation.
“Images of people attacking and setting fires to hotels housing refugees – men, women and children who’ve fled unimaginable violence like torture – are a stark and chilling reminder that hateful rhetoric inspires hateful acts.
“The prime minister is right to condemn these attacks. No-one should feel unsafe in Britain and refugees must never be singled out as targets for far-right violence and intimidation.
“Those seeking sanctuary must be housed in safe and dignified housing, where they can recover and rebuild their lives in peace.”
A fourth man has been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
A man was detained after he was seen with a group behaving aggressively and throwing missiles towards police, according to Merseyside police.
Liam James Riley, 41 years, of Walton Road, Kirkdale has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Wirral magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
One man has been arrested at the planned protest in Weymouth, Dorset dolice have said.
Assistant chief constable Mark Callaghan said: “The demonstrations are well resourced with a strong police presence, including dog units, police liaison officers and evidence gathering teams.
“The majority of people are behaving within the law and I would like to thank them for their conduct. However, there have been a small number of low-level incidents, with one man arrested for a public order offence.”
Keir Starmer issued a stark warning to “far-right thugs”, saying they will regret taking part in violent disorder after riots escalated on Sunday, and a mob attempted to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Read our full report on the prime minister’s speech here:
The Commons standards watchdog should hold Nigel Farage to account over his “dangerous comments” following the week’s violent disorder in the wake of the Southport murders, a Liverpool MP has said.
Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Farage’s comments “cannot be left to fester” and should be examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
Read our full report here:
South Yorkshire police said at least 10 officers have been injured – including one who was left unconscious – as a result of “deplorable acts of violence” outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel in the Manvers area of Rotherham.
“We absolutely condemn the scenes of disorder we witnessed, with a total of around 700 people in attendance in Manvers Way earlier today,” a statement said.
“A number of people threw planks of wood at our officers and sprayed them with fire extinguishers before smashing hotel windows to gain access to the premises.
“A large bin close to a window of the hotel was also set alight causing a small fire which was later extinguished, with missiles, including glass bottles and beer cans, thrown at our officers.
“At least 10 officers have been injured as a result of the violence, with one left unconscious following a head injury, another suffering a suspected fractured elbow and others suffering suspected broken bones.
“No hotel employees or residents have been reported as injured as a result of today’s disorder.”
One person has been arrested on suspicion of public order offences in Rotherham, South Yorkshire police said.
Assistant chief constable Lindsey Butterfield said: “Today in Rotherham we have seen our officers attacked and at least 10 injured, significant damage caused and a fire set outside a hotel full of terrified residents and staff.
“The mindless actions of those today have achieved nothing other than sheer destruction and leaving members of the public and the wider community in fear.
“The behaviour we witnessed has been nothing short of disgusting. While it was a smaller number of those in attendance who chose to commit violence and destruction, those who simply stood on and watched remain absolutely complicit in this.
“Those who choose to spread misinformation and hate online also need to take responsibility for the scenes today – this was not a protest, just angry people, reacting to a false narrative who have their own motivations for doing so.”
A third man has been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday.
A group were seen on Stanley Street charging and swearing at officers, and throwing missiles, police said.
Lloyd Killner, 35 years, of Burton Road, Lincoln has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
Two charged with violent disorder in Liverpool city centre
Two men have been charged with committing violent disorder in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, Merseyside police said.
Officers witnessed a group throwing stones, bricks and missiles at officers in the Paradise Street area.
Jimmy Bailey, 45, of Station Avenue, Ellesmere Port, has been charged with violent disorder.
He has been remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool magistrates court at 9.45am on Monday.
Declan Geiran, 29, of Kelso Road, Liverpool, will appear at the same court after he was charged with violent disorder and arson (to a police vehicle).
An attempt was made to set a police van alight while it was parked in William Brown Street on Saturday. The flames were quickly extinguished before significant damage or harm could be caused, the force said.
Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “The acts of violence seen across the country this weekend have involved criminality of the most serious kind. I want there to be no doubt about our determination to ensure that those involved will face severe consequences.
“This weekend, we deployed extra lawyers and will continue to work around the clock in the coming days to make sure that law and order is maintained, and justice is served.
“I have directed prosecutors to make immediate charging decisions where key evidence is in place and they are doing so.
“I am determined that we will act swiftly and robustly, giving the courts maximum ability to pass sentences that reflect what has occurred.”
The former chair of the defence select committee has encouraged the government to consider calling in the army if police forces continue to be overwhelmed during the riots.
Tobias Ellwood, posting on X, said: “If our police forces continue to be overwhelmed I’d encourage the Gov to call in the Army.
“To be clear what such a MACA request (Military Aid to Civil Authorities) means – it allows police on protection duties (such as guarding Gov buildings) to be freed to bolster the front line.”
It comes amid a call to recall parliament from some MPs, including lan Byrne, the member for Liverpool West Derby.
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If our police forces continue to be overwhelmed I’d encourage the Gov to call in the Army.To be clear what such a MACA request (Military Aid to Civil Authorities) means – it allows police on protection duties (such as guarding Gov buildings) to be freed to bolster the front… https://t.co/G6rHrIvoAx
— Tobias Ellwood (@Tobias_Ellwood) August 4, 2024
The sight of demonstrators attacking a hotel in the belief it is housing migrants is “almost incomprehensible”, the managing director of the Hope not Hate advocacy group has said.
Nick Lowles said he was “lost for words” to describe the scenes at a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham.
“The fact that hundreds of people have targeted a hotel that is housing migrants, it is almost incomprehensible,” he told Sky News.
“They knew that people were in that hotel and they consciously tried to set fire to it.
“Communities are so scared, we have to rebuild.”
Lowles said agitators have been over-simplifying stories to whip up hate.
The Scottish first minister, John Swinney, has warned against “unhelpful speculation” relating to the stabbing of a woman in Stirling.
The woman, 21, was treated in hospital for a “non-life threatening” injury on Saturday and a 29-year-old man was arrested in relation to the attack, which took place at about 8.20pm on the town’s King Street.
Social media reports on Saturday suggested three people had been stabbed and the attacker had appeared to be Muslim.
However, in an unusual move for the force, Police Scotland said the man arrested was white and from the local area.
The rumour had been promoted by Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League (EDL).