Three people have been arrested after “violent scenes” outside a Merseyside hotel hosting asylum seekers.
A demonstration descended into chaos outside the Suites Hotel on Ribbers Lane, Prescot, on Friday night.
A police van was set on fire and officers with riot shields were seen in the area.
Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth said the demonstration was triggered by “an alleged incident on social media” and criticized misinformation saying refugees are “feather-beded” inside, reports Sky.
Clare Moseley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais, said she was among 120 people from pro-migrant groups who traveled to the scene in response to the protest to show their support for asylum seekers.
Ms Moseley, 52, spoke to Sky News about the “violent scenes” and said firecrackers and stones were thrown.
She claimed that people you described as the “far right” set fire to a police car before it “exploded”, reports Sky.
After arriving around 20:15, she said police separated the protesters into their groups before the violence erupted.
Ms Moseley said: ‘We turned up because we heard that there were going to be some far-right people there and we didn’t want people in the hotel to be frightened or alone. But we had no idea just how many people were going to be there,” reports Sky.
Several asylum seeker advocacy groups accused the protesters of being linked to the far right.
Refugee Action Chief Executive Tim Naor Hilton tweeted: “If you’re part of a baying mob outside a hotel where refugees live then you’re the far right…even if you don’t like being called that,” reports Sky.
Merseyside Police said three people were arrested on Friday night on charges of violent disorder.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul White called the scenes “completely unacceptable”, reports Sky.
He 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,” reports Sky.
Footage emerges of concerned locals in Knowsley, near Liverpool, protesting outside migrant centre where they claim migrants harassed locals during the week 😳 Police deny all claims 🤔
Please follow us for more videos and retweet 🔄#Knowsley #BritainIsFull
Crd: PLT pic.twitter.com/05j8ylzDfc— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) February 11, 2023
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