Violent scenes erupted across Britain as right-wing extremists attacked a hotel in Rotherham believed to be housing refugees and set it on fire, marking the latest escalation in the country’s most serious unrest in more than a decade.
Anti-immigration sentiment, fuelled by misinformation about the mass stabbing of three young women in Southport earlier this week, has spiraled into widespread violence across Britain in the past few days.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that far-right extremists will “regret” their actions and face the “full force of the law” in a strong response to rioters following the Rotherham hotel attack.
Violence prevails in Britain | Latest developments
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A large group of right-wing protesters, many of whom were wrapped in British flags and chanting nationalist slogans, gathered at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham, where a large number of refugees are accommodated. The situation quickly deteriorated as the crowd began throwing projectiles at police, smashing windows and eventually breaking into the building and setting it on fire.
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The riots were sparked by the rapid spread of misinformation about a fatal stabbing at a children’s dance class in Southport, in which the suspect was described as a Muslim immigrant. Violent protests have erupted in towns and cities across Britain, with hundreds of anti-immigration demonstrators.
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On Sunday, violence of varying levels was seen in Rotherham as well as other places in cities such as Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Bolton, Hull, Southport and Middlesbrough, reports the BBC. In Middlesbrough, one of the worst-hit areas, a mob set a car on fire, damaged several vehicles and homes and targeted a town hall. They also threw cans and bottles at police officers and shops.
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Anti-racism counter-protesters were present in both Rotherham and the north-western city of Lancaster. Police were seen struggling to keep the two groups apart.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who faces a major test after taking office just a month ago, vowed tough action. He described Sunday’s scenes in Rotherham as “nothing more than looting gangs intent on breaking the law”. He insisted that “violent mobs do not represent our country” and added: “If you target people because of the colour of their skin or their faith, that is the far-right and I am prepared to say that.”
“I guarantee you will regret getting involved in this disorder, whether it’s directly or through people who are spreading this disorder online,” he warned.
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Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned the incident, saying “violent and criminal behaviour has no place in our society.” He said the “shocking scenes” on Britain’s streets “have nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.”
He said: “The police have our full support in dealing with these offenders quickly and they will face the full force of the law.”
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The government has announced to increase security at mosques across the country, after attackers targeted places of worship in England and Northern Ireland. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that 29.4 million pounds (Rs 315 crore) is being offered to mosques to provide more security.
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UK police are taking steps to deal with the situation in several areas including Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Southport. Police said the force has now been given additional powers, allowing them to stop and search people in designated areas within a certain time frame. “The Section 60AA authority allows us to force people to remove face coverings used to conceal or hide their face,” police said, after masked people started the violence.
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Saturday was also a violent day, when clashes broke out between right-wing activists and anti-racism protesters across Britain. Violent scenes were seen from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, to Liverpool in the northwest of England and Bristol in the west. About 100 people were arrested at several places.
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According to police, the mob attack and violence was organised by shadowy right-wing groups online, who were gathering support with phrases such as “enough is enough”, “save our children” and “stop the boats”. The internet is awash with anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant content by right-wing groups who aim to capitalise on the stabbing in Southport.