Hull riot: Work starts on £17k damage repairs

Up to £17,000 worth of damage to Hull's pavements was left by rioters on 3 August

Work has started to repair £17,000 worth of damage to pavements in Hull following violence and disorder in the city.

Windows were smashed at businesses and a hotel housing asylum seekers, shops were looted and fires were started during the unrest on Jameson Street, Ferensway, King Edward Street, Paragon Square, and Paragon Street on 3 August.

Hull City Council said it expected the work would take three weeks to complete.

During sentencing of the city's first three rioters on Friday, Hull Crown Court heard police officers were attacked in the violence and the cost to Humberside Police amounted to £270,000.

The council said the work was likely to take three weeks to complete

Fire damage on Spring Bank had cost the authority £1,550 to repair, prosecutor Jeremy Evans said.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads, and highways, said: “The criminal damage inflicted upon our city centre is completely unacceptable.

"Not only is it a serious criminal offence to commit such atrocious acts of vandalism, but it also leads to unnecessary repair costs for the council."

He said contractors were working "promptly and effectively, to ensure the safety and accessibility of the public walkways for all residents and visitors".

“However, we want to make it absolutely clear that vandalism will not be tolerated, and we continue to support Humberside Police in their work to bring justice to those responsible for the criminality on our streets.

“We thank residents for their patience whilst these works are being carried out.”

Shops were looted and fires started in the mass disorder in Hull

The authority said 10 public realm bins, and eight removable bins were "fire damaged beyond repair".

They were being replaced in the coming weeks with temporary bins installed on Jameson Street in the meantime.

The council said the carriageway on Spring Bank had been repaired within two days of the unrest.

Work to restore Grey Street, which was also damaged by fire, would be completed this week.