Asylum seekers and refugees left terrified by far-right mobs
The Guardian|August 06, 2024
Outside the asylum seeker hotel the far-right mob were baying: "Get them out" while hurling rocks, fireworks and other missiles. Behind the hotel windows the residents cowered in terror.
Diane Taylor
Asylum seekers and refugees left terrified by far-right mobs

But this was not the scene outside the asylum seeker hotel in Rotherham that was attacked by far-right thugs on Sunday, nor in Hull on Saturday. This happened outside the Suites hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, on 10 February 2023.

The far-right tactics have not changed much between then and now. The Home Office policy of housing tens of thousands of asylum seekers in hotels has made them a soft and visible target.

In the case of Knowsley, the trigger was a video of questionable origin purporting to show an asylum seeker propositioning an alleged schoolgirl, assisted by days of leafleting before the disturbances by the far-right group Patriotic Alternative.

This time, false rumours appeared online that the suspect in an attack on children in Southport had recently arrived in the UK on a small boat, when in fact he had been born in Cardiff.

The far-right organisation Britain First has been targeting asylum seeker hotels since 2020, initially simply barging in, banging on bedroom doors and demanding to know whether they were paying for their accommodation.

The Home Office subsequently increased security at hotels, but despite many social media posts about the far right intending to demonstrate in the car park of the Rotherham hotel, the damage was not prevented.

Denne historien er fra August 06, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 06, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
Consumer champions
The Guardian

Consumer champions

BT has left my father, 80, with no phone for months.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Money hacks How to save a bundle on children's clothes
The Guardian

Money hacks How to save a bundle on children's clothes

Charity shops can be a goldmine for bargains - use the Charity Retail Association's online search page to find ones that stock children's clothes, or in London, head to one of FARA's 14 stores that specialise in kids' clothes.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
University students Why are tuition fees going up and who does it affect?
The Guardian

University students Why are tuition fees going up and who does it affect?

The government has announced fees in England will rise to £9,535 in 2025. Shane Hickey gives you the lowdown on the changes

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
British Airways owner IAG's profits up 15%
The Guardian

British Airways owner IAG's profits up 15%

Strong demand for transatlantic travel has bolstered the profits of International Airlines Group, the owner of British Airways, with the UK national carrier outperforming rivals despite widespread European flight delays.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
Taking the plunge Seven date ideas that won't break the bank
The Guardian

Taking the plunge Seven date ideas that won't break the bank

You certainly don't need to spend a fortune to have a fun and romantic time, whether it's your first date or the 101st.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
The price of love How much does dating cost - and who pays the bill?
The Guardian

The price of love How much does dating cost - and who pays the bill?

Hinge+ costs £14.99 for a week, £24.99 for one month, £49.99 for three months and £74.99 for six months. One week of HingeX costs £24.99, a month is £44.99, three months £89.99 and six months comes in at £129.99.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
The Guardian

China offers £646bn to local government but balks at big stimulus

China has announced 10tn yuan in debt support for local governments and other economic measures, but stopped short of a \"bazooka\" stimulus package many analysts expected.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
Secret diary of TV freelancer Brutal hours, fear, panic - and finally a kick in the teeth
The Guardian

Secret diary of TV freelancer Brutal hours, fear, panic - and finally a kick in the teeth

An anonymous producer writes about their experiences of the brutal hours, low budgets and high stress of television production

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
The Guardian

Shares plunge for housebuilder Vistry after new profit warning

Shares in the FTSE 100 housebuilder Vistry have plunged after it issued a second profit warning in as many months and said cost overruns on building projects were worse than previously thought.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024
Families may get post office compensation, says minister
The Guardian

Families may get post office compensation, says minister

The postal minister has said that family members and employees of post office branch owners who have not been eligible to make claims over the Horizon IT scandal may be allowed to apply for compensation.

time-read
1 min  |
November 09, 2024