Protesters target hotel housing asylum seekers during the worst UK disorder in years

On Sunday, rioters attacked a hotel used to host asylum seekers in Rotherham, UK, as the country saw its worst social turmoil in years.

The police in cities across the country have braced for continued far-right and anti-immigration protests spurred by a deadly stabbing attack last week in the northern English town of Southport. Disinformation spread rapidly that erroneously claimed the suspect in the knife attack was an immigrant. On Saturday, dozens of people were arrested as demonstrations from Liverpool to Belfast descended into violence.

Groups gathered in Rotherham, Bolton, Hull, Southport, Middlesbrough, and other towns and cities throughout the nation on Sunday, sparking a fresh round of conflicts that escalated to varied degrees of violence.

While riot police tried to subdue the rabble-rousing throng, protestors in Rotherham broke windows and started fires at a Holiday Inn Express before surging inside. Although it was unclear if asylum seekers were still residing there, the hotel had been used to host them.

The violent protests that took place over the weekend, which resulted in at least 147 arrests since Saturday night, have been denounced by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He threatened to use the full weight of the law on those who engage in violence.

“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, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric. So no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: Far-right thuggery,” Starmer said from Downing Street on Sunday.

The UK's minister of police has stated that far-right rioters who have caused disturbances will be dealt with "nick them quick," but he has also stated that the army is not necessary.

While riot police tried to subdue the rabble-rousing throng, protestors in Rotherham broke windows and started fires at a Holiday Inn Express before surging inside. Although it was unclear if asylum seekers were still residing there, the hotel had been used to host them.

The South Yorkshire police force, which is in charge of the region, stated in a statement on Sunday night that at least ten police officers had been injured, and one had suffered a head injury that rendered him unconscious. According to the authorities, neither hotel staff members nor visitors were hurt.

Under the new arrangements, “the police, local authorities and mosques can ask for rapid security to be deployed, protecting communities and allowing for a return to worship as quickly as possible,” the Home Office said.

“Nobody should make any excuses for the shameful actions of the hooligans, thugs and extremist groups who have been attacking police officers, looting local shops or attacking people based on the color of their skin,” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

“As a nation, we will not tolerate criminal behavior, dangerous extremism and racist attacks that go against everything our country stands for,” she added.