Protest Escalates into Riot with Van Burning and Hotel Siege
Police in riot gear has arrived at a mass demonstration outside a hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, which is believed to house asylum seekers.
This evening, a riot broke out outside a hotel on Merseyside, where protestors burned a police van.
Protesters have encircled the Knowsley Suites Hotel, which is suspected of housing asylum seekers.
As additional police officers arrived on the scene, social media videos depicted shocking scenes of destruction on the hotel’s surrounding streets.
Merseyside Police stated that officers were dispatched to the area where an “initially peaceful protest” and counter-protest were held before the outbreak of violence.
Later, officers confirmed that three people have been arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.
Members of the charity Care4Calais were present and claim to be “trapped” after hotel staff allegedly refused to shelter them.
A spokesperson posted on Twitter “We are extremely distressed that a far-right demonstration in Knowsley has led to violence.
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“We cannot fathom the terror of the hotel’s occupants. Protesters on the far right have set fire to a police van.
“The situation at the Knowsley hotel where the far right is demonstrating and where we are trapped in the parking lot appears to be out of control.
“The police ran up the road in front of the hotel about 20 minutes ago and did not return. Numerous shouting.
“We are tweeting from the Knowsley, Liverpool hotel that is the target of a far-right protest. We are surrounded by hundreds of far-right protestors who have broken through police cordons and surrounded us in the parking lot.
“Still surrounded by counter-protesters outside the hotel where the far-right demonstration has turned violent.
“The police are attempting to find a safe exit route for us. It is shocking to consider the terror that the refugees in the hotel must be experiencing.”
In response to the demonstrations, officers clad in riot gear and carrying shields were observed in the area.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: “We can confirm that officers are dealing with two groups of protesters in Prescot this evening, February 10th.
“Officers were facilitating an initially peaceful protest and counter-protest on Ribblers Lane at approximately 6.30 p.m.
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“During the evening, a police vehicle was reportedly struck by missiles and damaged. At this time, no injuries have been reported.
“Additional officers have been dispatched to the area to address these incidents.
“We have also implemented several road closures on East Lancs Road and urge motorists to avoid the area and locals to evacuate.”
George Howarth, Labour MP for Knowsley, added: “It is premature to jump to conclusions until the police have completed their investigation, and the efforts of some to inflame the situation are egregiously wrong.
“If a crime has been committed, the police should handle it by the law.
“In addition, the false information that refugees are feather-bedded is intended to misrepresent the facts and is completely false.
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“The people of Knowsley are not bigoted and are welcoming to refugees fleeing some of the world’s most dangerous regions in search of safety.
“Those participating in tonight’s protest against refugees do not represent this community. We are not like that; rather, we are overwhelmingly compassionate and kind to others regardless of their origin.”
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