Anti-immigration riots and protests have erupted across the United Kingdom, leading to attacks on the police and buildings and the looting of businesses.
In a series of escalating violent incidents, a crowd of rioters attacked the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, where asylum seekers were staying.
The mob threw missiles at police officers stationed outside the hotel, broke into the building, set fires, and smashed windows.
Despite the chaos and destruction, no hotel staff or residents were reported injured.
In Bolton, clashes erupted between rival groups, leading to the deployment of fireworks and smoke bombs.
Police struggled to maintain order as around 250 members of the Asian community chanted “Allahu Akbar” at anti-immigration demonstrators, who responded by waving England flags and shouting slogans.
The police implemented a dispersal notice to curb anti-social behavior, while mounted officers and riot police worked to keep the groups apart.
The violence in Bolton mirrored that in Rotherham, with police facing intense aggression from both sides.
Fireworks, bottles, tiles, and eggs were hurled as disorder spread through the town center. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) enforced a Section 34 order to grant officers additional powers to deal with the escalating violence, including increased stop-and-search authority under Sections 60 and 60AA.
What began as a peaceful anti-immigration protest outside Bolton Town Hall quickly descended into chaos.
About 300 masked individuals charged toward the town hall, shouting “Allahu Akbar” as they encountered another group waving England flags.
Police in riot gear, supported by mounted units, intervened to separate the groups.
However, the situation worsened as eggs and other projectiles were thrown at officers, and the rival groups clashed in the streets.
The protests in Bolton were part of a nationwide wave of unrest sparked by misinformation about the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport earlier in the week.
False claims spread online suggested that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker, leading to heightened tensions and violence.
The wave of riots and protests was triggered by the tragic stabbing of three girls at a Southport dance class on Monday.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17-year-old with no known links to Islam, was charged with three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and possession of a knife.
Despite this, false information spread online claiming that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker, fueling anger and leading to violent protests.
Cities like Manchester have also seen clashes between anti-immigration demonstrators and their opponents, leading to similar police interventions and arrests.
The misinformation about the Southport stabbings has exacerbated existing tensions around immigration and asylum seekers, resulting in widespread unrest.
In response to the violence, government officials have called for calm and urged the public not to believe unverified information spreading online.
The authorities are working to address the root causes of the unrest and ensure that such incidents do not escalate further.
Community leaders have also been involved in efforts to promote dialogue and understanding between different groups to prevent further violence.
