Hull riot escalates with fires set across the city as protesters clash with police

Riots have erupted across England following the brutal killings of three young girls at a dace party in Southport earlier this week where several others were injured

Rioting has escalated in Hull with multiple fires being set across the city as protesters clash with riot police.

Hundreds of demonstrators descended on the city today for a planned protest only to be met with a heavy police presence. Bins were set on fire in Hull city centre as riot police used extinguishers in an attempt to tackle the blazes.

Video circulating on X/Twitter, shows tensions outside the Royal Hotel in the heart of the city with riot police and dogs being deployed to contain the situation. According to the BBC and other news outlets, several of the hotel’s windows were smashed.

Rioters were also seen trying to push through police barricades. Images taken at the scene of the riot showed police carrying riot shields as several people looked on at the chaos. Stagecoach buses also reportedly had difficulty entering the city due to the unrest.

Numerous fires were set across Hull today ( Image: Hull Live)

East Yorkshire busses added: "Unfortunately due to the escalating tensions in Hull, no services will operate after 2100 in the city. We apologise for this but it is due to the risk to our staff and customers. Last departures from the Interchange will be posted on here shortly." 

At least four people have been arrested during today’s protest. A Humberside Police spokesperson told the Hull Daily Mail: "Officers will remain deployed and will continue to deal with antisocial behaviour and disorder and a road closure remains in place whilst officers continue to manage the incident.

Rioters set multiple fires in Hull during the demonstration ( Image: INSTAGRAM)

At this stage, three officers are believed to have suffered injuries."

Footage showed items being set ablaze outside a ShoeZone store in the city while a man ran past carrying a large bag of sugar. Several onlookers seemed stunned by what they were witnessing.

Humberside Police Chief Superintendent Darren Wildbore said: “We currently have a high policing presence whilst officers respond to disorder that is taking place in the area of Ferensway following a protest that began this afternoon.

“Our officers have faced eggs and bottles being thrown and have made four arrests relating to public order offences. We have also issued a dispersal order for the area and there will remain a visible police presence as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those in the community."

Several people have been arrested in connection with the riot in Hull ( Image: Hull Live)

The chaotic scenes in Hull have been repeated across England and Northern Ireland today, with rioters also being seen clashing with police in Liverpool. Several other demonstrations erupted into violence this week in other parts of the country following the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

James Smith