‘You will regret this!’ Keir Starmer rages at ‘organised, violent thuggery’ as mob storm Rotherham migrant hotel

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hit out at “organised, violent thuggery” during a furious Downing Street press conference.

The Labour leader called the presser in the wake of violence in Rotherham, where protesters have stormed a hotel.

Commenting on the scenes of bedlam across Britain, 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.”

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The Government has today announced greater protection for mosques with new emergency security that can be rapidly deployed.

The new rapid response process means mosques at risk of violent disorder can be offered additional security personnel.

Mobs across Britain have carried out acts of vandalism during the riots, with mosques often being targeted.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Britain is a proud and tolerant country, and nobody should make any excuses for the shameful actions of the hooligans, thugs and extremist groups who have been attacking police officers, looting local shops or attacking people based on the colour of their skin.

“In light of the disgraceful threats and attacks that local mosques have also faced in many communities, the government is providing rapid additional support through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, alongside the support from local police forces and we repeat that anyone involved in this disorder and violence will face the full force of the law.

“As a nation we will not tolerate criminal behaviour, dangerous extremism, and racist attacks that go against everything our country stands for.”

Masked rioters launched wood and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers outside a Holiday Inn Express housing migrants in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

Footage posted to social media appeared to show demonstrators storming into the hotel, with reports of a fire inside.

A police helicopter was deployed and at least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away during the febrile atmosphere.

Sir Keir held crisis talks with ministers on Saturday over the unrest, with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood telling colleagues “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”.

There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured.

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

Chaos has erupted across Britain in the wake of the killings of three young girls as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

The crazed knife attack drew furore from concerned Britons who voiced their frustrations at immigration after false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

He was later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana.