Fifteen people have been arrested following clashes outside a hotel providing refuge for asylum seekers. Merseyside Police said the arrested were between the ages of 13 and 54 and had been detained on suspicion of violent disorder after clashes between pro and anti-migrant groups near the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, on Friday evening.
A police van was set on fire and officers were pelted with objects during the riot. Home secretary Suella Braverman condemned the violence, saying “the alleged behaviour of some asylum seekers is never an excuse for violence and intimidation”. She said: “I condemn the appalling disorder in Knowsley last night.”
Her comments appear to be in relation to what Chief Constable Serena Kennedy had earlier referred to as “rumours and misinformation” that had been circulating on social media before the protest.
It followed reports of an incident in Kirkby on Monday where a man is said to have made inappropriate advances towards a teenage girl.
Ms Kennedy said: “Following inquiries, a man in his 20s was arrested on Thursday in another part of the country on suspicion of a public order offence. A file was submitted to the CPS and on their advice he was released with no further action.”
She added: “Violence is not the way to resolve this and we know that those involved in the violent activity last night used this as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public, who have a right to live their lives in peace and without fear.”
Earlier on Saturday, the force confirmed that what started as a peaceful protest and counter-protest outside the hotel later turned violent.
A force spokesperson said: "Sadly, a short while later a number of people, who were not part of the original protest group, turned up and it is clear that they were only interested in causing trouble through violence and intimidation, without any thought, or care, for other members of the public, or our officers.
"During the evening, missiles including lit fireworks were thrown at officers and one of our police vans was attacked by offenders, using hammers before setting it on fire.
“An officer and two members of the public received slight injuries. The crowds dispersed and roads were reopened in the early hours of this morning.”
Clare Moseley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais, said she was among 100 to 120 people from pro-migrant groups who went to the hotel after hearing there would be a protest against asylum seekers.
Ms Moseley, 52, who founded the charity in 2015, said the scenes that followed were “really shocking” and have left her worried for the safety of the asylum seekers.
She said she arrived at about 8.15pm and police had separated the protesters into their two respective groups before violence erupted.
“And then next thing you know ... the police van [was] on fire! And you looked and you could see fire coming out of the window of the police van.”
“It was like a war zone”.
Multiple asylum-seeker advocacy groups accused those who organised the protest against the asylum seekers as being affiliated with the far right.
Refugee Action chief executive Tim Naor Hilton wrote on Twitter: “If you’re part of a baying mob outside a hotel where refugees live then you’re the far right ... even if you don’t like being called that.”
Care4Calais also suggested the protest had been organised by the “far right”.
One man staying at the hotel, who did not want to be named, told how he and other people staying there were left terrified by the scenes outside.
“It was burning and everybody in the world was praying,” he said. “People are crying and people are suffering from all angles. We come from different lifestyles so it doesn’t surprise me to see a vehicle burning.”
The man, from East Africa, said he had been staying in the hotel for seven months. “People have been welcoming here,” he said.
The violent scenes have been condemned by local politicians and Merseyside Police has stepped up security at the hotel.
Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth said the demonstration was triggered by “an alleged incident on social media” and criticised misinformation claiming refugees were “feather-bedded” inside.
Merseyside Police said it had sent additional officers to the area to ensure the safety of those staying at the hotel and that it would continue gathering evidence to establish the full details of what happened.
A 48-hour dispersal order was also in place from 1pm Saturday to ensure that anyone causing trouble is removed from the area.
