Balaclava-clad protesters smash windows and set fire at asylum seeker hotel in Rotherham as police forced to RETREAT

Balaclava-clad protesters smash windows and set fire at asylum seeker hotel in Rotherham as police forced to RETREAT
Rioters can be seen smashing windows at the Yorkshire hotel
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George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 04/08/2024

- 14:03

Updated: 05/08/2024

- 08:05

It comes after rioting and looting in several cities across the UK

Crowds gathered outside a hotel in West Melton reportedly used to accommodate asylum seekers have smashed windows and set fires inside the building.

People are draped in England and Union Jack flags outside the South Yorkshire hotel, with masked anti-immigration demonstrators smashing windows at the Holiday Inn Express near Rotherham.


There is a heavy police presence at the hotel, where some rioters are wearing masks and waving flags.

Objects including pieces of wood and chairs have been thrown at the hotel and at police officers who are lined up in front of the building. At least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away by colleagues.

\u200bA riot has broken out at the South Yorkshire hotel

A riot has broken out at the South Yorkshire hotel

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\u200bAnti-migrant rioters at the hotel in South Yorkshire

Anti-migrant rioters at the hotel in South Yorkshire

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A man was seen with a fire extinguisher in the hotel lobby

A man was seen with a fire extinguisher in the hotel lobby

PA

Glass smashed at the West Melton Hotel in Rotheram

Glass smashed at the West Melton Hotel in Rotheram

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\u200bRioters attacking police in South Yorkshire

Rioters attacking police in South Yorkshire

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\u200bA fire was lit outside the hotel in South Yorkshire

A fire was lit outside the hotel in South Yorkshire by rioters

PA

In the video, people can be seen walking around the hotel yelling from the adjacent Aldi supermarket with some holding Union flags.

The windows of the ground floor of the hotel can be seen smashed with many in the crowd holding phones and filming while car horns can be heard in the background. Large numbers of protestors appear to be forcing their way in to the hote. It is not immediately clear whether anyone is actually inside the building.

English Defence League founder and former leader Tommy Robinson has claimed the widespread anarchy yesterday, and throughout the night, is "not on him."

Shocking scenes across the UK over the last week include a library in Liverpool being burnt out and a mosque was attacked by rioters in Southport.

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\u200bA protester uses a fire extinguisher on police officers as trouble flares

A protester uses a fire extinguisher on police officers as trouble flares

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Counter protest

People, carrying placards, attend an anti-racism protest outside Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham

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\u200bObjects thrown at the hotel as trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham

Objects thrown at the hotel as trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham

PA

Trouble in Rotheram

Trouble flares during an anti-immigration riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham

PA

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police said a section 34 dispersal notice has been authorised covering Bolton until 10pm on Sunday August 4.

Under a Section 34 notice, officers have extra powers to deal with anyone causing anti-social behaviour in defined areas and the force said officers will be able to instruct and advise anyone who is causing, or very likely to cause, harassment, alarm, or distress to leave an area immediately.

Chief Inspector Natasha Evans said: "These powers have been authorised in response to increased protest activity. We have been working with organisers of pre-planned protests to help facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, to prevent serious disruption and ensure everyone can go about their lives without fear or risk of harm.

"We will continue to have an increased police presence around these areas to deal with any incidents that may arise, and with these additional powers, officers are more equipped to intervene early to ensure people feel safe and are safe."

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