A Kent MP is calling for the government to put an end to the “abhorrent” violence “plaguing our streets” after far-right protestors set fire to a hotel which had asylum seekers inside.

Conservative Tom Tugendhat slammed anti-immigration demonstrators who were seen with lengths of wood and spraying fire extinguishers at police officers outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

It is just one of many violent protests that have broken out in the UK over the past week following the deaths of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

Condemning the actions, the Tonbridge MP called on the government to use all available resources to “punish those responsible”.

Speaking on X, formerly Twitter, the Tory leader hopeful said: “This behaviour is abhorrent.

“We have got to put an end to the violence and disorder plaguing our streets.

“The government must use all the available resources to punish those responsible.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has this evening addressed the country as riots continue to cause disruption.

In a speech in Downing Street he said: “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder.”

Videos from social media appeared to show demonstrators storming into the hotel, with reports of a fire inside.

A police helicopter circled overhead, and at least one injured officer in riot gear was carried away as the atmosphere turned febrile.

Elsewhere, Greater Manchester Police said a Section 34 dispersal notice has been authorised covering Bolton until 10pm on Sunday, where a protest is expected later.

Merseyside Police have introduced two section 60 orders giving officers greater stop-and-search powers covering Liverpool and Southport.

The orders were put in place at 2pm on Sunday and will stay active for a 12-hour period until 2am on Monday.

Teams worked through the night to reopen streets in cities like Hull, where volunteers armed with brushes turned up from 7am to assist council crews.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given police his “full backing” to take any action necessary to respond to “extremists” attempting to “sow hate” after scenes of disorder in England and Northern Ireland this week.

Following the incident in Southport, false claims had spread online that the suspect, later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana from Lancashire, was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Sir Keir held crisis talks with ministers on Saturday over the unrest, with Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood telling colleagues “the whole justice system is ready to deliver convictions as quickly as possible”.

There was violence on Saturday in towns and cities such as Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool and Belfast which saw several police officers injured.

Faith leaders across Merseyside have called on communities to “remain calm and peaceful” in the aftermath of the Southport killings, saying some people “have sought to use the tragedy to create division and hate”.

The joint statement signed by several faith leaders said: “Division can destroy the very relationships and environment that we depend upon every day of our lives and there is no place for hate in our communities.

“It can – and has – left communities in fear and has put people in danger.”