Rotherham Riots: Police Condemn ‘disgusting display of thuggery’ That Left 12 Officers Injured

Evening Standard

At least 12 police officers were injured during disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham on Sunday.Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield, of South Yorkshire Police, said the injuries followed “a day and night of violence and disorder”, adding: “I can confirm today that we have seen at least 12 of our officers injured with items such as bricks, fenceposts, branches and other missiles thrown at them.

Transcript

00:00Following a day and night of violence and disorder in Wath-upon-Durne yesterday,

00:05Sunday the 4th of August, focused on a hotel housing asylum seekers, I can confirm today

00:12we have seen at least 12 of our officers injured with items such as bricks, fence posts, branches

00:19and other missiles thrown at them. Our police dogs suffered minor injuries after missiles

00:25were launched at them and horses had bricks, eggs, bottles and beer cans thrown at their heads.

00:34They were spat at and threats made to cut the saddles in an attempt to injure the riders.

00:40So far we have had six arrests, one in Sheffield and five in Rotherham, with one person already

00:46charged and before the court this morning. Please be assured we expect this number to

00:52increase significantly over the coming days. It began yesterday around 11.30am when a group of

01:00250 arrived in the Manvers area of Wath-upon-Durne. A further group of around 500 people arrived

01:08shortly after who we believe held far-right and anti-immigration views. At the same time

01:16a large crowd began to gather in Sheffield city centre, diverting a number of force resources.

01:23It was at this point we began to see an escalation in violence in Wath. Hotel windows were smashed

01:30and there was a concerted effort to cause damage to the interior and serious harm to those inside.

01:37There was a particularly sickening moment when a wheelie bin was pushed against the hotel and set

01:42on fire with the clear intent to cause serious harm to the residents and staff. It was known

01:50there were people residing and working in the hotel but the mindless individuals responsible

01:55had absolutely no regard for their safety. It was ultimately a disgusting display of thuggery

02:03continuing well into the evening with our policing operation only finishing around 5am.

02:10I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all those involved from South Yorkshire Police

02:14and the many forces who provided us with mutual aid, our partners in the fire and ambulance service

02:21and local partners for their continued support. I would also like to thank those who've already

02:27sent kind messages to the force. Officers have worked through the night to begin identifying

02:33those involved in these horrendous scenes. Please be assured if you were there we will find you

02:40and you will be held accountable for your part in yesterday's violence.

02:45To our local communities and particularly in Manvers, yesterday was a dark day and we know

02:51this was felt across our county. Our priority will always be public safety and you will see

02:58an increase of officers across South Yorkshire over the coming weeks. Finally we will be sharing

03:04a link for anyone with footage from yesterday that they wish to share with us. Alternatively

03:10you can report any information anonymously via Crimestoppers. Thank you.

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