A far-right mob have set fire to a Rotherham hotel used to house migrants as police brace for more violence across the UK on Sunday.
Masked rioters, some draped in England flags, assembled outside a Holiday Express hotel in Manvers, South Yorkshire, as they clashed with police.
After thugs threw bricks and smashed windows, footage emerged of a fire raging from a bottom-floor window as hotel guests looked on from the top floor. It is unclear if they were migrants.
It comes after at least 90 people were arrested after riots rocked major cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and Stoke on Saturday, leaving destruction in their wake.
A library was torched in Liverpool, Merseyside, after “violent thugs” descended on it and left part of the building reduced to ash.
Meanwhile, shoe shops, vape shops and cafes were destroyed in other towns and cities. In Belfast, a Syrian cafe owner said he had “no words” after his business was destroyed.
Chief Constable BJ Harrington, who speaks on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said authorities are prepared for people to “try and do this again in the coming days”.
Rotherham MP denounces far-right criminals
Rotherham’s Labour MP has denounced the far -right criminals attacking a hotel believed to be housing asylum-seekers.
Sarah Champion said: “I’m extremely concern at the escalating violence we are seeing at Holiday Inn, Manvers.
“The people causing damage and attacking police do not represent our town and I am disgusted by their actions. This is criminal disorder and intimidation – not protest.”
Athena Stavrou4 August 2024 15:15
Pictured: Migrants watch on from hotel window
Alexander Butler4 August 2024 15:13
Labour MP for Rotherham reacts to chaos out Holiday Inn Express
Labour MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion has reacted to rioters causing chaos outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers.
“This is horrendous,” she wrote on X.
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 15:01
Rotherham rioters attempting to turn over police van
Demonstrators in Rotherham appear to be attempting to turn over a police van.
Footage shared on social media shows multiple masked men surrounding the police van as officers attempt to stop them.
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 14:57
Pictured: Police under siege at Rotherham hotel
Alexander Butler4 August 2024 14:55
Pictured: Mob attack and set fire to Holiday Inn
Alexander Butler4 August 2024 14:47
Holiday Inn issues statement amid Rotherham chaos
IHG, the company that owns he Holiday Inn Express chain, have issued a short statement amid the chaos outside the Rotherham branch.
“The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is always our priority,” a statement sent to the BBC states.
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 14:44
Pictures from lobby inside Holiday Inn Rotherham
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 14:37
Pictured: Wheelie bin set on fire outside rotherham Holiday Inn Express
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 14:33
Wheelie bin set on fire and thrown into hotel
A wheelie bin has been set on fire as rioters attempt to throw it through the smashed hotel window.
Police helicopters could be seen, and emergency service sirens can be heard.
Jabed Ahmed4 August 2024 14:32