Police appeal following "despicable thuggery" in Tamworth
Rioters gathered outside the Holiday Inn in Tamworth last night as part of a series of violent disorders across the UK. They were sparked by the Southport stabbings in which three schoolgirls died.
Last updated 5th Aug 2024
Police officers have been injured and a hotel damaged in Tamworth in the latest in a series of riots that have been taking place across the UK.
It's in response to a mass stabbing in Southport last Monday (29 July) in which three schoolgirls died.
Petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown as the riot escalated, damaging the Holiday Inn and leaving a police officer with a suspected broken arm.
A statement from South Staffordshire Police said: "Police officers were faced with being attacked with petrol bombs and fireworks and damage was caused to the hotel by protesters, with the lives of residents inside put at risk. Fortunately, no one inside was injured."
Police said windows of the hotel had been smashed with three petrol bombs used to start fires.
Officers appealed for information to help identify people who attacked the hotel and police.
Officers continued to patrol the area overnight.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison said: "The senseless violence and acts of despicable thuggery in Tamworth tonight are completely inexcusable. The local community do not deserve to be subject to this behaviour, and neither do the brave officers putting themselves in harm's way to keep everyone safe.
"I want to echo the messaging that police forces have been championing nationally following the events across the country this week: we will be using footage from CCTV, air support and our officers' body-worn video devices to identify those responsible and seek the toughest possible punishment for these acts of senseless violence."
In a similar incident on Sunday, a Holiday Inn housing asylum seekers was attacked in Rotherham.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised that those involved in unrest will "face the full force of the law".
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