UK Faces Worst Riots in 13 Years Amid Unrest
The United Kingdom remains embroiled in days of turmoil as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows to bring rioters to justice.
Demonstrators have launched attacks on two hotels that house asylum seekers, marking the country’s most severe riots in over a decade.
On Sunday, a large crowd converged near a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, a northern town, where asylum seekers were accommodated.
The scene turned violent as rioters hurled bricks at police officers, shattered hotel windows, and ignited bins.
Footage captured officers, shields raised, fending off a barrage of projectiles—wood fragments, chairs, and fire extinguishers—while attempting to prevent the masked rioters from breaching the hotel.
The situation escalated further as a police helicopter circled overhead, and an injured officer in riot gear was carried away. Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield expressed outrage, emphasizing that even those who merely observed the violence were complicit. Law enforcement is diligently reviewing online imagery and footage to identify the culprits.
Late on Sunday, Staffordshire Police reported a similar incident near Birmingham. A group of individuals targeted a hotel known to shelter asylum seekers in Tamworth. They threw projectiles, smashed windows, started fires, and confronted police, resulting in an injured officer.
These riots follow a recent tragedy—a stabbing rampage during a dance class in Southport, where three girls lost their lives and several others sustained injuries. The unrest continues to grip the nation, prompting urgent responses from authorities.