'We were in fear - but the buggers will not break us'

Rotherham families show plenty of community spirit despite having had to flee their homes as rioters took over the streets

- HOLLY BANCROFT

When far-right rioters started throwing bottles at police officers guarding an asylum seeker hotel, local resident Becky Brunt decided it was time for her family to flee the area.

She had been watching the chaos unfold streets away from her estate on a TikTok live-stream and as the crowds grew around their home, she decided it would be safer to stay with her mother-in-law in Sheffield.

The family returned when the violence had died down at around midnight on Sunday. And yesterday morning, they spoke to The Independent outside the hotel where they were clearing up after the devastation.

Adam Brunt, 42, who had brought along a bucket and shovel to clear up the broken glass, condemned the lies that people outside the area had spread about the asylum seekers living inside the hotel.

“People think they’re getting loads of money and they’re not. I see them in Aldi and they just buy a loaf of bread and a can of pop,” he said.

“We have the most overfed ducks in the world. That’s their only negative contribution to society. And increased flip-flop use. The kids are well into flip flops now but if that’s the cultural exchange, then I think I can cope with that,” said Adam, who had been clearing the road since 9.30am.

“I can’t believe the lies that the people who don’t even live here were saying. Initially, the hotel was used for Afghan families and we were totally on board with that.

“When they said single people were going to be moved in, we were apprehensive but as the months turned into years, we have had absolutely no bother from these people whatsoever.”