Hundreds of far-right protesters attempted to invade a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham, northern England, on Sunday, clashing with police in one of the most violent episodes of the anti-immigrant riots that have devastated the country since the death of three children, one of them Portuguese, in a stabbing in Southport. Protesters began gathering outside the hotel in the morning, where they were met by dozens of counter-protesters shouting “refugees welcome.” Police had difficulty separating the groups, but as the counter-protesters left the scene, extremists, many wearing masks, began throwing stones at the hotel, clashing violently with security forces. They managed to get in through an emergency exit and set fire to trash bins near the front before they were cleared away. At least one police officer was injured and several protesters were detained. The clashes in Rotherham came after another night of violence in cities including Liverpool, Manchester and Belfast, with extremists attacking police, looting and burning shops. Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted violent extremists “do not represent the country” and vowed to bring those involved to justice.