Approximately 700 people gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday, where tensions quickly escalated. Protesters clashed with police, hurling wood, bottles, and chairs, and spraying fire extinguishers at officers.South Yorkshire Police confirmed that at least ten officers were injured, including one who was left unconscious with a head injury.
Footage from the scene showed a large bin on fire near the hotel, as protesters chanted, “Get them out,” draped in St George and Union flags. Reports indicate that some rioters stormed the hotel, with fire being set inside and asylum seekers seen peering out of windows in fear.
Prime Minister condemns violence
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack, describing it as “far-right thuggery” and vowing that the perpetrators would face swift justice. “This is not a protest, it is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online,” Starmer said in a statement from 10 Downing Street.
“Be in no doubt: Those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law,” Starmer said, noting that the police would be making arrests and that charges would follow. “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves. This is not protest. It is organized, violent thuggery.”
The violence in Rotherham is part of a broader wave of unrest that has spread across the country, following a deadly stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead. The far-right has seized on the incident, using it to stoke anti-immigration sentiments and organize violent demonstrations.
Nationwide unrest
In the northeastern town of Middlesbrough, tensions flared as protesters broke through police lines, vandalizing homes and cars, and attacking officers with bricks and cans. Similar scenes were reported across other towns, where far-right protesters have targeted minority communities and law enforcement.
Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield of South Yorkshire Police condemned the rioters’ actions, emphasizing that even those who did not participate in the violence were complicit by standing by. “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,” Butterfield warned.
Far-right agitation and online mobilization
The violence has been fueled by far-right groups exploiting fears over immigration, particularly the increasing number of migrants crossing the English Channel. These groups have rallied support through social media, with slogans such as “enough is enough” and “stop the boats.” Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, has been identified as a key figure in amplifying these messages, despite facing legal challenges and an arrest warrant.
Legal and social consequences
The recent violence has overwhelmed the criminal justice system, which is already struggling with a significant backlog of cases. Stephen Parkinson, Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales, stated that extra legal resources have been deployed to ensure swift prosecution of those involved in the unrest.
Prime Minister Starmer’s administration faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of the violence and to ensure public safety amid the rise in far-right activity. As the country grapples with the aftermath of these events, questions remain about the broader implications for social cohesion and the response to far-right extremism in the UK.