Knowsley: Missiles thrown at police and van set on fire in protest outside asylum-seeker hotel

Missiles have been thrown at officers and a police van set on fire during a protest outside a hotel reportedly housing asylum-seekers on the outskirts of Liverpool.

Police said three people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, but there were no reports of serious injuries at the scene outside the Suites Hotel and Spa on Ribblers Lane in Knowsley.

Videos shared on social media showed a large crowd of people, as well as a police van in flames.

Reports suggested the protest was a far-right demonstration against the housing of refugees in the hotel.

Labour MP for Knowsley North Sir George Howarth condemned the demonstration.

“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,” he said in a statement shared on Twitter.

“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.”

Volunteers for Care 4 Calais, a charity supporting refugees in the UK and France, said they became “trapped” in the car park at the venue.

“We are deeply distressed that a far right protest in Knowsley has led to riots,” they wrote on Twitter.

“We can’t imagine the terror of the people inside the hotel. Far right protesters have set fire to a police van.”

They added: “We are terrified… there is a danger people are going to be seriously hurt.” The charity thanked Merseyside Police officers for their “organisation and professionalism”.

Merseyside Police said the protest and counter-protest had initially been peaceful.

"During the evening, missiles have been thrown towards officers and damage caused to a police vehicle. No injuries have been reported at this time," a spokesperson said.

"A total of three people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and taken to police stations to be questioned.

"Additional officers are in the area to deal with these incidents and ensure the safety of those in the area. We are also taking measures to record the actions of those present to gather further evidence."

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."

Sir George said the protest had been triggered by an earlier alleged incident.

"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,” he said.

"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.”