Ellie Ames 05 August 2024

Council leader: Attack on asylum hotel ‘confirms worst fears’ about disorder

Council leader: Attack on asylum hotel ‘confirms worst fears’ about disorder image
Image: mike foremniakowski / Shutterstock.com

The leader of Rotherham council said an attempt to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers had ‘confirmed our worst fears’ about the nature of recent disorder across the country.

About 750 people gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, a suburb of Rotherham, yesterday before clashing with police.

South Yorkshire Police said bricks, fence posts and branches were hurled at officers, leaving 12 injured.

When some officers were diverted to a crowd gathering in Sheffield, violence escalated and the hotel’s windows were smashed.

Police described a ‘particularly sickening moment’ when a wheelie bin was pushed up against a hotel and set on fire, ‘with the clear intent to cause serious harm to all those inside’.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council leader Chris Read said: ‘The scenes in Manvers confirmed our worst fears about the nature of protests across the country.

‘Those who stood by and simply watched thugs tried to set fire to a building containing other human beings will reflect on what they have become and what they have associated themselves with.’

Home secretary Yvette Cooper called the attack on the hotel ‘utterly appalling’ and said police had the Government’s full support for the ‘strongest action’ against those responsible.

The attack came as disorder and riots organised by the far-right continued across the country over the weekend.

Rioters also gathered outside a Holiday Inn in Tamworth yesterday, where Staffordshire Police said petrol bombs and fireworks were set off and the hotel's windows were smashed, putting the lives of those inside at risk.

The hotel has been ‘used for asylum purposes for years’, Tamworth MP Sarah Edwards said in July.

Tamworth Borough Council leader Carol Dean and chief executive Stephen Gabriel said: ‘We will do everything in our power to support the authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to account for their actions.’

There has been rioting and disorder in towns and cities including London, Hull, Nottingham, Middlesbrough, Belfast and Leeds after the killing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport last Monday.

Demonstrators have gathered after false claims spread online that the suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Safeguarding Business Support

Wakefield Council
£12,792.00 - £13,634.50, Grade 5, 18.5 hours, Temporary- 12 Months Maternity Cover
An opportunity has arisen for an Administrator to support the Integrated Front Door Service Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Registered Homes Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 (Pay Award Pending) plus £2,500 recruitment/retention allowance and £3,500 market supplement. The salary with additional payments equate to an earning potential per annum of £58,805 at the top of the grade.
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Manager, Connected Carers

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 (Pay Award Pending)
Are you passionate about supporting children to remain within their family networks? Do you have the leadership skills to guide a dedicated team worki Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner