10 February 2023 , 21:58
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A riot erupted outside a hotel in Merseyside on Friday evening where a police van was set alight by protestors.
Protesters surrounded the Knowsley Suites Hotel, which is thought to be used to house asylum seekers.
Shocking videos shared on social media showed scenes of destruction on the streets outside the hotel, as more police officers arrived on the scene.
Missiles were reportedly thrown with some protesters carrying signs reading "this is our city" as chants of "get them out" were heard in footage posted on social media.
Riot police were called in to break up the scene.
Boy, 13, among 15 arrested after clashes near Knowsley hotel with asylum seekers
The protest started peacefully before later turning ugly (Liverpool Echo)Merseyside Police said officers were called to the area where an "initially peaceful protest" and counter protest was being held before the violence erupted.
In Prescot, Knowsley, they were dealing with two groups of protesters after the demonstration descended into chaos outside the Suites Hotel in Ribblers Lane.
Members of charity Care4Calais at the scene claimed they were "trapped" and accused hotel staff of not allowing them inside to escape the chaos.
A spokesman wrote on Twitter "We are deeply distressed a far right protest in Knowsley has led to riots.
"We can’t imagine the terror of the people inside the hotel. Far right protestors have set fire to a police van.
"The situation at the hotel in Knowsley where the far right are demonstrating & we are trapped in the car park still seems out of control.
"The police all ran up the road outside the hotel about 20 mins ago, and didn’t come back. Lots of shouting.
Police officers at the scene on Merseyside (Liverpool Echo)"We are tweeting from the hotel that’s the subject of a far right protest in Knowsley, Liverpool. We are trapped in the car park, surrounded by hundreds of far-right protestors who have broken through police cordons.
"Still trapped with counter demonstrators outside the hotel where the far right demo has become violent.
"Police trying to find a way for us to leave safely. People are very frightened: it is shocking to think how refugees in the hotel must be feeling."
Hotel asylum seekers 'scared to go outside and can't sleep' after violent riot
Clare Moseley, founder of the refugee charity, later described the scene as a "war zone.”
Police officers in riot gear holding shields were seen in the area in response to the protests.
A police van has been set alight at the scene in Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm officers are in Prescot dealing with two groups of protesters this evening, Friday 10 February.
"At around 6.30pm, officers were facilitating an initially peaceful protest and counter protest on Ribblers Lane.
"During the evening, missiles have reportedly been thrown and damage caused to a police vehicle. No injuries have been reported at this time.
"Additional officers are in the area to deal with these incidents.
"We have also implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and would urge motorists to avoid the area and those in the area to disperse."
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “We will always respect the right to protest when these are peaceful, but the scenes tonight were completely unacceptable, putting those present, our officers and the wider community in danger.
“Thankfully we have not had any serious injuries reported up to this point, but for officers and police vehicles to be damaged in the course of their duty protecting the public is disgraceful.
“We have arrested some of those suspects and will continue without hesitation to review all and any evidence which comes in, through CCTV, images or other information you may have.”
The force said it had implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and urged motorists to avoid the area and those in the area to disperse.
Knowsley Labour MP George Howarth added: "Until the police have investigated the matter, it is too soon to jump to conclusions and the effort on the part of some to inflame the situation is emphatically wrong.
"If an offence has been committed, the police should deal with it appropriately through due process.
"In addition, the misinformation about refugees being feather-bedded is untrue and intended to paint a picture that does not at all represent the facts.
"The people of Knowsley are not bigots and are welcoming to people escaping from some of the most dangerous places in the world in search of a place of safety.
"Those demonstrating against refugees at this protest tonight do not represent this community. We are not like that and overwhelmingly behave with sympathy and kindness to others regardless of where they come from"
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.