BBC
A police operation is under way to identify those responsible for violent disorder outside a hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire, during which petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at officers.
The rioting broke out on Sunday night after a crowd gathered at a Holiday Inn Express, leaving one officer with a suspected broken arm.
Staffordshire Police has described the attacks as “senseless violence”, adding that “despicable thuggery” was “completely inexcusable”.
Overnight, police patrols have been gathering evidence, with drones and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) covering the area.
The scenes have followed other clashes in UK towns and cities.
Riots and anti-immigration protests emerged in the wake of the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport a week ago – fuelled in part by false claims the suspect was Muslim and a refugee.
Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express had been used “for years” to accommodate asylum seekers, the local MP confirmed in July.
IHG, the owners of the Holiday Inn brand, have said: “The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is always our priority. Any further questions should be directed to the Home Office.”
Earlier on Sunday, in Rotheram, rioters smashed the windows of a Holiday Inn Express before starting fires.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison from Staffordshire Police said officers in Tamworth had shown “tremendous courage” and the community did not “deserve to be subject to the behaviour”.
He said footage from CCTV, air support and body-worn video devices would be used to identify offenders.
“There have already been more than 100 arrests nationally in connection with these acts and I expect those who are identified will meet the full force of the law,” he added.
The crowd in Tamworth was described as hostile by police, who added offenders had a clear intention to attack the hotel and officers.
Windows at the hotel were smashed and a series of fires were started using three petrol bombs.
The disorder lasted for more than three hours, ending at about 00:30 BST on Monday when crowds were dispersed.
No one inside the hotel was reported injured.
Officers would continue to provide reassurance to the local community, police said.
Elsewhere in Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, there were scenes of disorder at the weekend, with police officers injured.
