'No strategic guidance' during riots, council says

A number of cars were set on fire in Middlesbrough in August 2024

The Home Office has been accused of providing "little or no strategic guidance" during last year's riots.

In a submission to the Home Affairs Committee on asylum accommodation, Middlesbrough Council said it was given little advice by the government or asylum accommodation provider Mears on how to respond to the unrest which hit the town in August 2024.

It said the Home Office had circulated one email but it "did not include a general level of detail" and it was not clear whether the information could be shared.

The Home Office said it worked with accommodation providers and police to share intelligence. Mears said it had risk assessments in place for all its accommodations.

Cars were set alight and missiles thrown at police during the riots, with more than £750,000 of damage estimated to have been caused.

Cleveland Police described the violence as "staggering".

It was one of several protests triggered by false social media claims that someone who had arrived in the UK illegally was responsible for the murder of three young girls in Southport at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class.

'Not timely enough'

In its parliamentary submission, the council said it had been unclear whether the Home Office or Mears had emergency plans in place for riots.

Commenting on the guidance it was given, it said: "This communication was not seen as being timely enough or to contain sufficient detail and was therefore not satisfactory."

The council declined to give more details about its submission to the Home Affairs Committee.

The Home Office said it had put on extra security during the riots to "ensure the safety of people and the community".

Mears said it did not have a role in advising councils on responding to public disorder.

A spokesperson said: "We have risk assessments in place for all accommodation sites we use and we work closely with the police, local authorities and the Home Office where issues arise."