UK riots live: Far-right torch Rotherham Holiday Inn migrant hotel

Sir Keir Starmer said those participating in violence, including those “whipping up this action online”, would “regret” it.

Addressing the nation following days of disorder across England, the Prime Minister said: “Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.

“The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow.

“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves.

“This is not a protest, it is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”

Faith leaders across Merseyside have called on communities to “remain calm and peaceful” in the aftermath of the Southport killings which some people “have sought to use the tragedy to create division and hate”.

The call was made in a joint statement signed by the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Liverpool, plus the Rt Revd Thomas Neylon, Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool and Dr Badr Abdullah, chairman of Liverpool Muslim Society.

Ibrahim Syed of the Liverpool Region Mosque Network, Merseyside Jewish Representative Council president Barry Levene, Hardev Singh Sohal of the Liverpool Sikh Community and Dr Shiv Pande of the Liverpool Hindu Community also signed the statement.

It said this should be a time of “quiet reflection and remembrance” following the killing of the three girls in Southport but “since Monday, too many people have sought to use the tragedy to create division and hate.”

It added: “Division can destroy the very relationships and environment that we depend upon every day of our lives and there is no place for hate in our communities.

“It can – and has – left communities in fear and has put people in danger.

“At this difficult time, let us remember that there is far more that unites than divides us.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he could “guarantee” rioters will “regret taking part in this disorder” as he condemned an attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham and branded the action “far-right thuggery”.

When asked whether tougher sentences would be handed out to those taking part in the violence, as was done after the 2011 riots, he said: “I think there needs to be the full force of the law.”

Sir Keir Starmer has firmly labelled rioters across the country as far right.

He said: “If you target people because of the colour of their skin and their faith then that is far-right and I am prepared to say that.”

Sir Keir Starmer is addressing the country now as he vows to crack down on far-right criminals and urged “all right-minded people” to condemn “this type of violence.”

Home secretary Yvette Cooper has said the “criminal, violent attack” on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham is “utterly appalling” as she backed police to take “the strongest action against those responsible”.

In a statement posted on X, Ms Cooper said: “The criminal, violent attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham is utterly appalling. Deliberately setting fire to a building with people known to be inside.

“South Yorkshire Police have full Government support for the strongest action against those responsible.”

In response to Sunday’s incident in Rotherham, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “I am utterly appalled by the violence we’re seeing in Rotherham today.

“What we’re seeing is not protest, it is brutal thuggery directed against some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“The people carrying out these attacks do not represent the beautiful, brilliant place and people I know.

“We will come after those carrying out this violence with the full force of the law.”

Cleveland Police said “a number of arrests” have been made since the far-right gathered in Middlesbrough at around 2pm.

“A number of arrests have been made. The public is asked to avoid the area,” a statement on social media said.

Hundreds squared up to police with shields at Middlesbrough’s Cenotaph, throwing bricks, cans and pots at officers.

One shouted at them: “It’s our f****** country.”

Another group of walked through a residential area smashing the windows of houses and cars, with one person throwing a piece of broken glass through the window of a home.

Another of the group used a racial slur while shouting which car “are we going to smash next?” Another replied “because we’re English” when asked by a resident why they were breaking windows.

A scuffle broke out between protesters and a small group of people whose cars were smashed.

A woman shouted “you fascist thugs” while a man who was with her shouted at police: “You’re letting them rampage through the city.”