Chaos in Stoke as protesters left covered in blood after fighting outside mosque
Two men have been taken to hospital after the clashes as police face off with rioters in the city.
Protesters have been left covered in blood after fighting outside a mosque in Stoke as riots break out across the UK.
Hundreds are marching the streets of Hanley with demonstrators seen draped in football flags and covering their faces as they chant and face up to police officers.
Rumours are circulating on social media that two men have been stabbed - but that has been shut down by emergency services who said that the men weren't seriously injured but taken to hospital.
Other reports have suggested they were attacked with a hammer but this has not been confirmed.
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: "We were called to Town Road, Hanley at 3.27pm to reports of an assault. An ambulance and paramedic officer responded to the scene.
"Two men were treated for injuries not thought to be serious before being conveyed to hospital for further treatment."
Staffordshire Police said 10 people, all male and aged between 52 and 15, had been arrested on suspicion of offences including assault, violent disorder and racial or religious threatening behaviour.
The force said two men at the centre of online claims that they had been stabbed had actually been hurt when a blunt instrument was thrown in the air. They are in hospital and police said their injuries were not serious. Three police officers suffered minor injuries.
The clashes follow awful scenes in Sunderland last night Friday, August 3, with rioters set a police office on fire and caused total chaos on the streets.
It was the third night of violence in England after the Southport knife attack last week which left three children dead and the UK reeling in horror.
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There were false claims circulating online suggesting the perpetrator was a Syrian migrant who arrived in the UK by dinghy.
In fact the teenage suspect, named yesterday as Axel Rudakubana, was born in Cardiff.
Hope not Hate CEO Nick Lowles commented: "For those who say these aren’t far right protests, well, in Sunderland they shouted racist slogans, they attacked an Uber driver’s car because of his colour and they attempted to march on the mosque, only stopped by riot police.
"Pretty conclusive evidence if you ask me."
Lewis Atkinson, Labour MP for Sunderland Central, said: "The fact that some far-right racists decided to turn up in Sunderland does not at all represent our city.
"A night of idiots will not prevent us from building.”
Chief Superintendent Helena Barron of Northumbria Police, who led the policing operation, during which a police station and at least one car were set on fire, said last night: “Anyone involved in the disorder we have seen can expect to be dealt with robustly – and that action has already begun.
“Eight people have so far been arrested for a range of offences, including violent disorder and burglary.
“A full investigation is now under way to identify anyone else responsible.”
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