‘Not the Hull we know and love’: Clean-up begins as police vow ‘relentless pursuit’ of far-right thugs
ON IT: Hull City Council staff clearing the debris from the city centre this morning after serious disorder from far-right thugs. Picture credit: Matt Jukes / Hull City Council
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
A clean-up operation was under way in Hull this morning after a far-right mob rampaged through the city centre, attacking police and looting shops with at least one set on fire.
Humberside Police said anyone involved in yesterday’s violence would be “relentlessly pursued” and that 20 people had so far been arrested for various public order offences. A total of ten officers were injured.
After fighting running battles with police in Queen Victoria Square and King Edward Street, the mob laid siege to the Royal Hotel in Ferensway, which had windows smashed in a hail of missiles in the belief it was being used to house asylum seekers.
Businesses and vehicles in the Spring Bank area were also attacked with one car burnt out.
AFTERMATH: Police in Jameson Street last night after Lush and other stores were looted
By the evening some rioters had begun attacking shops in Jameson Street, looting and setting fire to Shoezone, and looting and damaging an O2 store, a Greggs food store – where a man wearing a St George cross shirt was seen emerging with an armful of cookies – and looting the cosmetics store Lush.
The colourful debris from Lush littered the street and the smell of perfume filled the air as police continued to defend the area from stragglers who were prevented from returning to Jameson Street. One man was seen being arrested and put into the back of a police van with his arms handcuffed behind his back.
Hundreds of people attended or took part in the disorder, which began after crowds gathered in Queen Victoria Square at noon. It was violent and aggressive from the start and one of a number of clashes involving the far-right in cities across the UK.
The demonstrations followed an horrific knife attack that claimed the lives of three girls in Southport on Monday, which was followed by false claims on social media about the background and religion of the 17-year-old suspect.
TERRIFYING: The driver of this car reversed into a fence to try to escape the mob near Spring Bank
In an incident update last night, police said vehicles and businesses had been subjected to “extensive criminal damage”.
Mike Walker, Assistant Chief Constable of Humberside Police, said: “A total of 20 people have been arrested for various public order offences throughout the afternoon and evening, and to be clear, this enforcement action is going to continue as we will not tolerate mindless violence and disorder in our city.
“The right to lawful protest is a part of democracy, which my officers upheld, however we will not accept the senseless vandalism, antisocial behaviour and sheer violence that has been brought to our streets.
“We have mutual aid from other police forces strengthening our resilience and determination to bring those who are intent on causing disruption and chaos to an end.
“Our officers go above and beyond to protect the safety of our community day in and day out, they should never be subjected to the scenes we have seen today, with ten officers suffering injuries.
“Our investigators are reviewing footage which has circulated on social media, as well as CCTV in and around the area and are carrying out extensive lines of enquiries. We would appeal to anyone who has any information, dashcam or mobile footage relating to any of the disorder, to please call us on 101 quoting log number 144 of 3 August.
“Information can also be passed directly to the investigation team and will be dealt with in the strictest confidence through the Major Incident Public Portal.”
He added: “I understand that the disruption that has unfolded today will have been hugely concerning to our communities. I want to reassure people that those responsible for the mindless disorder will be relentlessly pursued by Humberside Police and will be held to account for their criminality.”
Yesterday, Dame Diana Johnson, the Labour MP for Hull North and Cottingham and Policing and Crime Minister, said on X, formerly Twitter: “Disgusted to see the appalling mindless criminal behaviour in Hull today.
“My thoughts are with Humberside Police officers injured by these criminals. Those thugs engaging in violence, vandalism and disorder will face the full force of the law – in Hull and around the country.”
This morning she thanked Hull City Council for cleaning up the the city, adding: “Our community in Hull is and always will be strong, respectful, tolerant and law abiding.”
Responding to the incident yesterday, Councillor Mike Ross, the Liberal Democrat leader of the council, said: “Today, I speak on behalf of the overwhelming majority of Hull residents as I condemn the appalling scenes witnessed in our city centre this afternoon. This is not the Hull we know and love.
“These actions do not reflect the beliefs of those who genuinely care about their country, city, or communities; rather, they stem from a small group of criminals' intent on bringing division, conflict, and fear to our city.
“All those involved, as well as anyone who supports them, have brought shame upon themselves and will be held accountable for their actions.
“Hull is a vibrant and diverse city, home to caring and considerate individuals who will stand united to demonstrate that today’s events do not define us. Together, we will work to repair the damage caused by this unrepresentative minority.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the brave officers from Humberside Police, our wider emergency services, and everyone who supports them. They stood up for the rule of law and defended our community against mindless violence and thuggery.
“Our thoughts are with those directly affected by these awful events.
"I want to reassure our residents that we will do absolutely everything within our power to ensure that any damage is quickly repaired and that those behind today's disgraceful behaviour are swiftly identified and brought to justice.
“Above all, I want to be extremely clear, today’s events do not represent us or the wonderful city we know and love.”
Posting pictures of the clean-up on X this morning, city council chief executive Matt Jukes said: “The amazing @Hullccnews Streetscene team got on with the clean up in Hull as soon as we had clearance from our colleagues @Humberbeat.
“The idiots who caused all this don’t define us, our people & those who work to ensure everything gets back to normal do! #TeamHull.”
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