Masked Anti-Immigration Rioters Break Into UK Hotel Housing Asylum Seekers, 10 Police Officers Injured
On Sunday, a large crowd gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel, hurling bricks at police, shattering windows, and setting trash ablaze, according to Al Jazeera.
Violent clashes erupted in Rotherham, northern England, as masked anti-immigration rioters broke into a hotel sheltering asylum seekers, amidst the UK’s most severe riots in 13 years.
On Sunday, a large crowd gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel, hurling bricks at police, shattering windows, and setting trash ablaze, according to Al Jazeera.
Sky News reported that at least 10 officers were injured, including one who was left unconscious.
Footage from Sky News showed police officers in riot gear facing a barrage of projectiles, including wooden objects, chairs, and fire extinguishers, as they struggled to prevent the rioters from storming the hotel.
A police helicopter patrolled overhead, while at least one injured officer was escorted away, highlighting the escalating tensions and chaos.
The recent unrest is the latest episode in a wave of rioting that has swept the UK, following a devastating stabbing attack at a dance class in northern England last week.
The tragedy left three young girls dead and several others injured. According to police officials, the violence has been exacerbated by false online rumors that the Southport stabbing suspect was a Muslim immigrant, which has ignited anger and fueled far-right extremism in the country.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the far-right violence on Sunday, emphasising that ‘there is no justification’ for the attacks on mosques, Muslims, and ethnic minorities.
His statement comes amid a surge in violent incidents fuelled by extremism, and he sought to make it clear that such actions are entirely unacceptable.
“People in this country have a right to be safe and yet we have seen Muslim communities targeted and attacks on mosques,” Starmer said.
The prime minister added that “he won’t shy away from calling it [the rioting] what it is” and that is “far-right thuggery”.
“To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be,” he said
