Asylum seekers have been subjected to "violence, threats and harassment" since a protest outside the Suites Hotel turned violent.
Merseyside Police has confirmed to the ECHO that officers in the Knowsley area are investigating 10 crimes following the Suites Hotel protest. An initially peaceful protest outside the Kirkby hotel on February 10 turned violent when missiles were thrown at police and a Matrix van was vandalised and set on fire.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the protest was fuelled by "misinformation" circulated on social media in the days leading up to the protest. Detectives investigating reports of a man making inappropriate advances towards a teenage girl arrested him before later releasing him with no further action.
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Earlier this week Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth told the House of Commons that asylum seekers were "unsafe" and had been verbally abused in the street, while others were assaulted. And today Knowsley Community Policing Superintendent Karl Baldwin told the ECHO officers are looking into 10 crimes following the protest including assaults, malicious communications and verbal abuse.
One of the more worrying incidents saw a group of men follow two males down Broad Lane on Monday, February 27. The gang of men shouted threats before assaulting them in a local park.
And the following day, at around 11.30pm, Merseyside Police patrols were called to the East Lancashire Road to reports of a man being assaulted near Home Bargains by two males on electric bikes. The victim sustained superficial injuries to his leg after being hit with batons. Both incidents are being treated as hate crimes.
On Saturday, February 11, the day after the initial protest, a number of phone calls were made to the hotel which were reportedly of a racist and obscene nature. A 51-year-old local man was arrested six days later and remains on conditional bail whilst a decision to charge is sought from the Crown Prosecution Service.
The ECHO understands other incidents such as people being verbally abused near to the hotel have been reported. Enquiries are ongoing in relation to all the incidents.
Superintendent Baldwin told the ECHO: "Violence, threats and harassment targeting anyone will not be tolerated and are completely inexcusable. For residents and staff connected to the premises to be targeted is despicable, and we will continue to work closely with the premises, as well as our partners, residents and communities to ensure all information is acted upon.
"Such incidents can be the consequence of misinformation and rumour which can circulate and be shared by people with no thought to the harm and distress caused. We are aware there is a lot of concern throughout our community - concern we are taking seriously. Despicably, some are choosing to prey upon that concern on social media by using falsehoods, misinformation and inflammatory language.
"We encourage everyone to view such information sceptically. What plays out online can have real world consequences that put innocent people in harm's way. Merseyside Police has, and will, investigate every incident that is reported to us."
Fifteen people were arrested in connection with February's initial Suites Hotel protest. Teenager Jared Skeete was subsequently charged with assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder. 19-year-old Skeete, from Aigburth, pleaded guilty to violent disorder earlier this week and will be sentenced next month.
Merseyside Police set up a dedicated investigation task force in the wake of the protest. Superintendent Baldwin added: "All those involved in the violence in February and who have committed one of the crimes since, should be in no doubt that we are doing all we can to bring them to justice and think twice about repeating their behaviour."
Labour MP Sir George told the Common: " [Asylum seekers] have fled because the countries they come from were unsafe, only to find themselves in an unsafe position in this country. And I think we should all be ashamed. It's not just happening in Knowsley, it's happening all over the country."
Superintendent Baldwin added: "The incident in February put those in the community and our officers at risk. Those involved used rumours and allegations as an excuse to commit violence and intimidate members of the public. We will continue to use all available powers to deter any similar incidents of violence, threats and harassment, while acknowledging that people have the right to peacefully protest.
"I hope these arrests, charges and ongoing investigations demonstrate our commitment to investigating each and every one of these incidents. If you have any information, please come forward and we will do the rest."
You can report any incidents to @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
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