First country issues warning over travelling to the UK amid violent protests – as it urges citizens living in Britain to ‘remain vigilant’
A country has issued a travel warning for its citizens for the first time, urging them to stay away from parts of the UK due to ongoing violent riots.
The country’s Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens to “remain vigilant” and assured them it is “closely monitoring” the unrest – which has led to more than 100 arrests.
Far-right protests took place in Britain this week after misinformation about the identity of a man arrested for the murder of three girls in Southport encouraged criminals to loot shops, attack police officers and target mosques with projectiles.
This afternoon, violent protesters wearing balaclavas and carrying the St George’s flag clashed with officers trying to protect the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, setting fire to rubbish bins and furniture.
Malaysia has now become the first country to warn its citizens about the dangers of visiting Britain at this time.
This afternoon, violent protesters wearing balaclavas and carrying St George’s flags clashed with officers trying to protect the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, setting fire to bins and furniture.
Protesters and police clash in Rotherham tonight as Malaysia becomes the first country to warn its citizens of the dangers of visiting Britain at this time.
A car on fire in Sunderland. Chaos has engulfed Britain this week, leaving officers broken, cars set alight, shops looted and innocent civilians targeted on the streets
The statement from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Malaysians living in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance from local authorities.”
The warning comes as Britain is once again reeling from violent riots, which have seen chaos this week, with officers breaking bones, cars being set on fire, shops being looted and innocent civilians being targeted on the streets.
Although photographs from Rotherham show alleged hotel residents peering out of windows at rioters, it remains unclear whether migrants and asylum seekers staying at the property have been able to evacuate. MailOnline has contacted the Home Office.
Other images appear to show far-right protesters breaking into the hotel, with the BBC reporting that people wearing balaclavas were seen forcing their way in.
Objects and pieces of wood were thrown at officers stationed outside the building. At least one officer in riot gear was carried away by his colleagues.
One person was fully covered in a Union Jack mask as he waved a large English flag outside the hotel, while others waved cans of beer inside and chanted offensive slogans.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he was “deeply shocked by the violence” in Rotherham.
“What we are seeing is not a protest, but brutal violence targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” he said in a statement.
Protesters in Rotherham. Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said: ‘Malaysians living in or travelling to the UK are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance from local authorities’
A man throws a brick during a protest in Liverpool. The violent unrest was sparked on Tuesday after misinformation spread on social media claiming that the teenager suspected of murdering three young girls was a radical Muslim migrant.
“The people who carry out these attacks do not represent the beautiful, brilliant place and people I know. We will deal with those who carry out this violence to the full force of the law,” he added.
There are also ongoing protests in Bolton and Middlesbrough.
The violent unrest on Tuesday was sparked by misinformation spread on social media claiming that the teenager suspected of killing Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9) was a radical Muslim migrant.
Police have named the suspect as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff to Christian parents from Rwanda. Rudakubana has since been charged with murder and attempted murder.
The misinformation sparked far-right protests across the country, with violence breaking out last night in Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast – with many police forces pushed to the limit.
Meanwhile, as rioters tore through Sunderland on Friday night, the crowd of protesters attacked the Masjid E Anwaar E Madinah mosque.
Sunderland Church leader Zaf Iqbal and three other people had to lock themselves in the place of worship to avoid the dangerous crowds outside.
Speak with the BBChe burst into tears as he recalled the “very frightening” ordeal.
Zaf Iqbal (pictured), a taxi driver and co-chair of the Sunderland Interfaith Forum, says the riots in Sunderland have left members of the Muslim community terrified and unwilling to leave their homes.
He said: “We had to close the mosques on Friday night and could not continue our normal activities because we did not want our elderly to be put at risk.
“It’s very scary because you have a mob attacking a building that is a place of worship. Like a church or a Sikh Gurdwara or a Hindu temple.”
Shocking images from outside the mosque show mounted police officers trying to keep the rioters at bay.
Mr Iqbal said Friday night’s events had left some Muslims in the area too scared to leave their homes. Meanwhile, members of the Sikh community also told the faith leader they were more vigilant.
Horrifying video from Hull shows a group of rioters rushing towards a grey car in a car park and shouting racist abuse at the driver.
As the video continues, bystanders can be heard shouting for police as a group of men surround the vehicle.
A shopping cart can be seen on the front of the car as one of the rioters, wearing a cap and a bandana around his face, reaches for it.
The man recording the conversation says that there are ‘foreigners in the car’.
The windshield also appears to have been smashed and the windshield wipers appear to have been pulled up.
A police car set on fire in Sunderland. As part of the clean-up operation, Northumbria Police are now hunting for those responsible for the widespread destruction and have said those responsible ‘can expect to be dealt with to the full force of the law’
From left to right: Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and six-year-old Bebe King. The three girls tragically died after being stabbed at a Taylor Swift dance event
However, the group of men, some of whom have their faces covered, begins to disperse as a riot police unit carrying protective shields arrives at the scene.
According to reports, the motorist was dragged from his vehicle by criminals, who then vandalized the vehicle.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged his “full support” to police in taking action against “extremists” who seek to “spread hatred” by intimidating communities as he holds emergency talks with ministers over unrest in parts of England.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said those involved in the fighting “will pay the price” and that “criminal violence and disorder have no place on the streets of Britain”.