Home Secretary speaks about unrest in Bolton and elsewhere

On Sunday 4 August, heated scenes broke out around Victoria Square and Bradshawgate after riot police separated rival groups of protesters and counter-protesters.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has now told the House of Commons that this and other incidents across the country occurred after these groups “hijacked” the mourning in Southport.

She said: “While millions of decent people across the country were praying for the grieving families, a criminal minority of thugs and extremists saw this as just an opportunity to exploit the grief of an entire city.”

Ms Cooper told the House of Commons that more than 100 police officers had been injured in the unrest across the country.

She then turned to examples of unrest across Britain.

ALSO READ: Judge gives boy who threw bottle at police horse ‘biggest chance of his life’

ALSO READ: Men threw rockets at police during riots in city centre

Ms Cooper said: “In Sunderland, a branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau was set on fire. In Liverpool, a library and a major community centre were set on fire.

“In Hull, shops were looted and a mosque was attacked.

“In Rotherham, a hotel used as asylum accommodation was set on fire while people were inside.

“In Bolton, there were clashes between rival groups, with fireworks and bottles being thrown. And we saw people being attacked in the streets because of the colour of their skin.”