Liverpool: Asylum Seeker Hotel Riots – Knowsley
Fifteen people, including a 13-year-old boy, have been arrested after violent clashes outside a Merseyside hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
A police officer and two members of the public suffered minor injuries during the disorder in Knowsley on Friday.
A police van was set alight and missiles including lit fireworks were thrown at officers.
Thirteen males and two women, aged between 13 and 54, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
A peaceful protest and counter protest had been taking place outside the Suites Hotel when police said a group of people arrived who were “only interested in causing trouble”.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “They turned up armed with hammers and fireworks to cause as much trouble as they could and their actions could have resulted in members of the public and police officers being seriously injured, or worse.”
Police confirmed they had been investigating reports that “a man made inappropriate advances toward a teenage girl” in Kirkby on Monday.
No victim had been initially identified and a man in his 20s was arrested on Thursday in another part of the country on suspicion of a public order offence, Chief Constable Kennedy said.
He was released with no further action following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The investigation was “ongoing” and Chief Constable Kennedy appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.
“Social media speculation, misinformation and rumour can actually damage the outcome of investigations and cause unnecessary fear and consequent behaviour, so I would continue to ask people to be mindful of the damage that such actions can cause.”
A man has since appeared in court charged with assaulting an emergency worker after disorder broke out near a hotel housing asylum seekers.
A police officer and two members of the public were hurt as missiles including lit fireworks were thrown when protests in Knowsley turned violent.
Jared Skeete, 19, also faced a charge of violent disorder at Wirral Magistrates’ Court.
He was remanded in custody until his appearance at crown court on 13 March.
Merseyside Police said Mr Skeete, of Irwell Close, Aigburth, Liverpool, was arrested following the disorder in Knowsley on Friday.
Fourteen other people – 12 men and two women who were mainly from the Knowsley area – have been conditionally bailed pending the outcome of police inquiries.
