ONE police officer has been left unconscious with a further nine injured following violent riots earlier today.
Around 700 people descended on Holiday Inn at Manvers, to protest the housing of refugees and asylum seekers.
Yet despite comments from organisers who called for the event to remain peaceful, the event quickly turned chaotic, with masked rioters hurling missiles at police, smashing up parts of the building and lighting fires.
Rioters broke into the hotel where they began to collect fire extinguishers and furniture to be used as weapons against the police.
One person has so far been arrested on suspicion of public order offence, and police have managed to reclaim control of the area.
No hotel employees or residents have been reported as injured as a result of today's disorder, however at least ten officers are recovering from injuries caused as a result of the violence.
One was left unconscious following a head injury, another us suffering a suspected fractured elbow and others are suffering suspected broken bones.
In a statement made this afternoon, Prime Minister Keir Starmer claimed those involved will ‘regret taking part in this disorder’.
Assistant chief constable, Lindsey Butterfield, said: “Today in Rotherham we have seen our officers attacked and at least ten injured, significant damage caused and a fire set outside a hotel full of terrified residents and staff.
“The mindless actions of those today have achieved nothing other than sheer destruction and leaving members of the public and the wider community in fear.
“The behaviour we witnessed has been nothing short of disgusting. While it was a smaller number of those in attendance who chose to commit violence and destruction, those who simply stood on and watched remain absolutely complicit in this.
“Those who choose to spread misinformation and hate online, also need to take responsibility for the scenes today – this was not a protest, just angry people, reacting to a false narrative who have their own motivations for doing so.
“All today has achieved is the diversion of police and partner resources, operational police officers who will now be away from active duty while they recover from their injuries, and the continued use of public money to clean up the mess they have left behind.
“Please be assured, our work does not end today – we have officers working hard, reviewing the considerable online imagery and footage of those involved, and they should expect us to be at their doors very soon.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our officers and staff who have worked incredibly hard today and the officers from West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Durham Constabulary, North Yorkshire Police and Leicestershire Police who have supported us, alongside South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for their continued support.”
Police have urged anyone who has any information regarding today's incident to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 239 of 4 August 2024
