Riot hotel will no longer house asylum seekers

A hotel housing asylum seekers that was targeted by rioters will no longer be used as accommodation for migrants, the government has confirmed.

The Home Office announced it would terminate its contract with the Holiday Inn at Manvers, Rotherham, after the disorder in August, which left more than 50 police officers injured.

Rotherham Council leader Chris Read said it was the "right decision" and that the site had seen "horrendous and inhuman violence" during the riots.

More than 60 men have been jailed so far for their parts in the disorder outside the hotel.

On 4 August, a mob laid siege to the hotel, setting fire to bins and hurling debris at police officers.

As well as officers being assaulted, police horses and dogs were hurt and courts heard how the asylum seekers had feared for their lives.

Defence Secretary John Healey, MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough, had opposed the use of the hotel since asylum seekers were first moved there in 2022.

“I appreciate this has been a difficult period for people locally and I hope this latest announcement removes some uncertainty about the future," he said.

Read said the hotel had been "the wrong place to put people for long periods of time – many of whom were literally fleeing for their lives".

He said the riots had "brought shame on our community", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“In making this decision the government has thankfully recognised the problems with the hotel, and given assurance to neighbouring residents who have understandably been concerned that such trouble might be repeated again in the future.”

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