Police officer injured as investigation launched into 'violent' disorder at Holiday Inn in Tamworth

Staffordshire Police has launched an investigation after an officer was injured in violence at a Holiday Inn hotel in Tamworth on Sunday night (4th August).

Police say a crowd of hundreds of protesters gathered and starting attacking the hotel, with responding officers faced with being attacked with petrol bombs and fireworks.

A large-scale policing operation, supported by colleagues from neighbouring police forces, was deployed to the area after the crowd quickly became hostile.

Hotel windows were smashed and three petrol bombs were used to start a number of fires.

In a statement, Staffordshire Police said: "Our colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue were on hand to assist as required.

"Projectiles were thrown and officers were targeted with violence, leading to officers being assaulted. One officer suffered a suspected broken arm."

The force said with the support from neighbouring police forces, they were able to rapidly disperse the crowds and restore calm.

“These events are not a reflection of our town and its community"

The leader of Tamworth Borough Council, councillor Carol Dean, and the Chief Executive Stephen Gabriel have issued a joint statement condemning Sunday’s attack.

Their statement said “The outbreak of violence and criminal damage is totally unacceptable.

“We will do everything in our power to support the authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to account for their actions.

“Everyone has a right to express their views, that must be done, peacefully and responsibly.

“While we understand and respect the right of citizens to express their concerns and opinions, we cannot and will not support actions that resort to violence, intimidations and disorder.

“These events are not a reflection of our town and its community"

Hotel residents were evacuated from the building, with no one believed to be injured.

Officers have been at the scene overnight to reassure the local community.

In a statement, 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.

"Officers have shown tremendous courage in responding to the disorder that unfolded tonight, as well as those that worked valiantly at the protests seen in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday.

"There have already been more than 100 arrests nationally in connection with these acts and I expect those who are identified will meet the full force of the law."

Good Morning Britain's Richard Gaisford is at the scene this morning:

Videos posted on social media show crowds at the hotel:

Specialist drone surveillance and the national police air service (NPAS) were deployed to sweep the area, to identify those involved in the violence.

Meanwhile Solihull Police teams were called to Hermitage Road on Sunday night, after receiving a number of calls about a large gathering.

Posting to X, officers said: "We're there making sure everyone stays safe until the numbers disperse".

Others in Solihull reported that groups of people were in the area tonight near a place of worship.

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Places across the country have seen violence spill onto the streets, in the wake of three children killed in Southport.

Hundreds of people gathered in Nottingham on Saturday, from so-called far-right and anti-racist groups.

Police had to form a human line to separate the rival protestors in Old Market Square.

In Stoke-on-Trent ten people have been arrested after protests turned violent.

The protests and counter-protests in Hanley involved hundreds of people, and were followed by outbreaks of violence with missiles thrown in clashes on Saturday (August 3rd) afternoon.

In a similar incident to Tamworth on Sunday(4th August), 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”.