A police van and car have been set on fire in shocking scenes as protestors clash outside a hotel, which is being used to house asylum seekers.
It is understood a number of far-right groups were involved in organising the protest outside the Suites Hotel, in Kirkby, Merseyside, and photographs from the scene show signs with slogans such as 'deport not support'. Counter-protesters also attended, Liverpool Echo reports.
Merseyside Police said that missiles were then thrown and damage was caused, while images show a Matrix van parked near to the gathering being vandalised with graffiti, before being set alight. A line of riot police then quickly surrounded the van.
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, police said in an updated statement on Friday night.
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Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “We will always respect the right to protest when these are peaceful, but the scenes tonight were completely unacceptable, putting those present, our officers and the wider community in danger.
“Thankfully we have not had any serious injuries reported up to this point, but for officers and police vehicles to be damaged in the course of their duty protecting the public is disgraceful.
“We have arrested some of those suspects and will continue without hesitation to review all and any evidence which comes in, through CCTV, images or other information you may have.”
Merseyside’s Police & Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell condemned the “shocking and concerning” violence outside the Suites Hotel.
She said on Twitter: “Deeply shocking and concerning scenes of violence in Knowsley this evening. Utterly unacceptable behaviour, putting officers & public in danger.
“I am monitoring the situation closely. There is absolutely no excuses for this.”
Footage seen by the Liverpool Echo also shows people taking what appear to be sledgehammers to a police vehicle. Knowsley Labour MP George Howarth slammed the scenes and said they did not represent the community.
In a statement released on Twitter he said: "‘I have referred an alleged incident posted on social media, which has triggered a demonstration outside the Suites Hotel, to Merseyside Police and Knowsley Council. Until the Police have investigated the matter, it is too soon to jump to conclusions and the effort on the part of some to inflame the situation is emphatically wrong.
"If an offence has been committed, the police should deal with it appropriately through due process. In addition, the misinformation about refugees being feather-bedded is untrue and intended to paint a picture that does not at all represent the facts.
"The people of Knowsley are not bigots and are welcoming to people escaping from some of the most dangerous places in the world in search of a place of safety. Those demonstrating against refugees at this protest tonight do not represent this community. We are not like that and overwhelmingly behave with sympathy and kindness to others regardless of where they come from"
In further disturbing footage, people can be heard kicking railings, shouting and chanting as well as running in the middle of the road as traffic tries to pass. In an earlier statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that officers are in Kirkby dealing with two groups of protesters this evening, Friday 10 February.
"At around 6.30pm, officers were facilitating an initially peaceful protest and counter protest on Ribblers Lane. During the evening, missiles have reportedly been thrown and damage caused to a police vehicle. No injuries have been reported at this time.
"Additional officers are in the area to deal with these incidents. We have also implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and would urge motorists to avoid the area and those in the area to disperse. More updates will be on @MerseyPolice channels when we have them."
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