Three people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following a protest outside a hotel where asylum seekers were staying in Merseyside.
Merseyside Police said officers in Prescot were dealing with two groups of protesters after a demonstration descended into chaos outside the Suites Hotel in Ribblers Lane on Friday evening.
Videos shared on social media appear to show a police van on fire and officers carrying riot shields in the area.
Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth said the demonstration was triggered by “an alleged incident on social media” and criticised misinformation claiming refugees were “feather-bedded” inside.
Clare Moseley, founder of refugee charity Care4Calais, said she was among 100 to 120 people from pro-migrant groups who went to the scene in reaction to the protest to show support for the asylum seekers.
She spoke to Sky News about the “violent scenes” and said fireworks were set off and rocks were thrown and claimed people she described as “far-right” set a police van on fire.
She claimed: “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.”
“I was very shocked at how violent it got… to see these kinds of scenes in Liverpool, it broke my heart,” she added.
Pic: Tony Broster/Facebook via PA
In separate comments to the Press Association, Ms Moseley said: “I’m trying to get in touch with some of the poor men in that hotel, I can only imagine how frightened they are.
“It was like a war zone.
“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.”
Multiple asylum seeker advocacy groups accused protesters of being affiliated with the far right.
Refugee Action chief executive Tim Naor Hilton wrote on Twitter: “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.”
Scenes of violence ‘deeply shocking’
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White called the scenes “completely unacceptable”.
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.”
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A still from a video captured by someone at the scene outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley. Pic: Josh Robinson/Twitter via PA
Sir George said: “I have referred an alleged incident posted on social media, which has triggered a demonstration outside the Suites Hotel, to Merseyside Police and Knowsley Council.
“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.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the behaviour of protesters “shameful and appalling”.
“Thank you to Merseyside police for responding to the shameful violence & appalling behaviour in Knowsley this evening that put people at risk & for working to keep everyone safe,” she wrote on Twitter.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell described the scenes of violence as “deeply shocking and concerning”.
In a statement, Merseyside Police said it had implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and urged motorists to avoid the area.