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BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nA police operation is under way to identify those responsible for violent disorder outside a hotel in Tamworth, Staffordshire, during which petrol bombs and fireworks were thrown at officers.<\/p>\n The rioting broke out on Sunday night after a crowd gathered at a Holiday Inn Express, leaving one officer with a suspected broken arm.<\/p>\n Staffordshire Police has described the attacks as “senseless violence”, adding that “despicable thuggery” was “completely inexcusable”.<\/p>\n Overnight, police patrols have been gathering evidence, with drones and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) covering the area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The scenes have followed other clashes in UK towns and cities<\/a>.<\/p>\n Riots and anti-immigration protests emerged in the wake of the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport a week ago – fuelled in part by false claims the suspect was Muslim and a refugee.<\/p>\n Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express had been used “for years” to accommodate asylum seekers, the local MP confirmed in July.<\/p>\n IHG, the owners of the Holiday Inn brand, have said: “The safety and security of our guests and colleagues is always our priority. Any further questions should be directed to the Home Office.”<\/p>\n Earlier on Sunday, in Rotheram, rioters smashed the windows of a Holiday Inn Express before starting fires.<\/p>\n Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison from Staffordshire Police said officers in Tamworth had shown “tremendous courage” and the community did not “deserve to be subject to the behaviour”.<\/p>\n He said footage from CCTV, air support and body-worn video devices would be used to identify offenders.<\/p>\n \u201cThere 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,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The crowd in Tamworth was described as hostile by police, who added offenders had a clear intention to attack the hotel and officers.<\/p>\n Windows at the hotel were smashed and a series of fires were started using three petrol bombs.<\/p>\n The disorder lasted for more than three hours, ending at about 00:30 BST on Monday when crowds were dispersed.<\/p>\n No one inside the hotel was reported injured.<\/p>\n Officers would continue to provide reassurance to the local community, police said.<\/p>\n Elsewhere in Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, there were scenes of disorder at the weekend<\/a>, with police officers injured.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\")
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