Police in riot gear after a demonstration outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, where people were protesting against asylum seekers staying at the hotel.
Fifteen people have been arrested after violent clashes outside a hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
A police officer and two members of the public suffered minor injuries during the disorder in Knowsley, Merseyside, on Friday night.
Missiles, including fireworks, were thrown at police officers and a police van set alight.
Thirteen men and two women, aged between 13 and 54, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
Police said they were “facilitating a peaceful protest and counter protest” outside the Suites Hotel when a number of other people turned up with the intention of causing trouble.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “They turned up armed with hammers and fireworks to cause as much trouble as they could.
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, called the behaviour of protesters “shameful and appalling”.
Knowsley is the third most deprived council in England.
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