Hull: Twenty five arrests after ‘chaos and disorder’ in city

Twenty five people have now been arrested following a night of “chaos and disorder” in Hull, police have said.

Several shops were broken into and looted, with one set on fire, while police were attacked with bricks and fireworks as trouble flared in the city centre on Saturday.

The unrest followed demonstrations involving anti-immigration protesters and anti-racism campaigners, on a day which saw several protests across the UK descend into violence.

Assistant Chief Constable Thom Mcloughlin, of Humberside Police, said: “The scenes we witnessed in Hull were utterly abhorrent and there is no place for this mindless behaviour in our city.”

Crowds of rival protesters gathered at Queen Victoria Square on Saturday afternoon, with anti-immigration protesters shouting “you’re not British any more” and anti-racism campaigners reacting with shouts of “say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here”.

As the protests moved around the city, a hotel in Ferensway – believed to have housed asylum seekers – was attacked. Officers also had eggs and bottles thrown at them.

Later, a number of vehicles were set alight in a customer car park at Humberside Carpets Ltd, just outside the city centre on Hall Street.

A BBC reporter witnessed looting taking place and stores being damaged, including the O2 shop, Greggs and Shoezone in Jameson Street.

It is the latest episode of unrest to break out in towns and cities across England following the killing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

Trouble also flared in Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool and Belfast, with smaller protests taking place elsewhere.

Humberside Police said it made 25 arrests for varying offences including violent disorder after “a group of individuals attacked the city” and left 11 officers injured.

ACC McLoughlin described it as “unfathomable” and said the force would be making “more arrests”.

“These individuals have caused damage and fear, showing no compassion or respect and without a single thought being given as to the damage they have caused to the wellbeing of our community,” he said.

“They were intent on acting like thugs and there is no place for them across Hull or the Humberside force area.”

He appealed to communities to remain “calm” and urged people not to “speculate online, as to do so may add fuel to further unease and ultimately lead to more outbreaks of violence”.

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross has condemned the “appalling scenes” in the city centre, saying it “was not the Hull we know and love”.

He said: “These actions do not reflect the beliefs of those who genuinely care about their country, city, or communities; rather, they stem from a small group of criminals’ intent on bringing division, conflict, and fear to our city.

“All those involved, as well as anyone who supports them, have brought shame upon themselves and will be held accountable for their actions.”

He added: “Hull is a vibrant and diverse city, home to caring and considerate individuals who will stand united to demonstrate that today’s events do not define us.”

The council said its street cleaning teams worked overnight to “ensure the city is open for business as usual”.

Volunteers also turned up – some with brushes – on Sunday morning to help with the clean-up operation.

Some areas within the city have reopened following the disorder, but a number of shops remain closed surrounded by a police cordon.

Public transport had also been affected and a number of streets have been shut following the disorder.

However, Hull interchange has reopened, as well as Queen Victoria Square, Ferensway and Spring Bank, which have been cleared “following damage caused yesterday after scenes of criminality”, the authority said.