Force sent support unit during Rotherham riots

Police clash with protesters during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham

A police force has confirmed it sent a support unit to help officers tackle violent unrest in the north of England.

Over the weekend, there was disorder across the UK following a demonstration which turned into a riot in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.

The police support unit (PSU), provided by Northamptonshire Police, consisted of one sergeant, six police constables and a driver and was deployed in Nottingham on Saturday, and then Derbyshire and Rotherham on Sunday.

There have not been any similar incidents reported in Northamptonshire.

A support unit from Northamptonshire Police was on hand to help officers in Rotherham

PC Josh Unsworth, of Northamptonshire Police, was sent to Rotherham and posted on social media about the "tough and tiring" shift.

He tweeted: "Urine, animal faeces, fireworks, objects directed onto/at us.

"Adults encouraging young children to join in. Nothing but disgusting and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

"My thoughts and prayers go to my fellow police colleagues who have been injured during these disgusting attacks."

'No place in this town'

Lucy Rigby, Labour MP for Northampton North, condemned the violence, describing the incidents as "appalling".

She added: "Hate, racism, and thuggery have no place in this town."

It followed Ms Rigby's announcement that she wrote to local mosques to "ensure awareness" of the greater protections announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on 4 August.

Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said if there were similar incidents in the county, she would expect a "united community response".

Danielle Stone, Northamptonshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said the disruption was an "affront to all communities"