Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has met with community leaders in Stoke-on-Trent to discuss the violent disorder which hit the city centre.

Groups of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant protestors and Muslim counter-protesters clashed in Hanley earlier this month, resulting in injuries and multiple arrests.

Similar riots were seen in towns and cities across the country, including Tamworth, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the actions of 'far right thugs'. Ms Rayner took part in a roundtable discussion at Saltbox in Hanley on Tuesday afternoon, with attendees discussing the impact of the riots, the community response and what help was needed.

The meeting was attended by the city's three Labour MPs, senior councillors and officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Saltbox chief executive Lloyd Cooke, and Imam Mohammed Amir from the City Central Mosque. Jon Roy, Deputy Chief Constable from Staffordshire Police, and representatives from community groups such as Middleport Matters and Affordable Foods also attended.

The deputy PM said the violence seen in Hanley had been 'completely unacceptable' (SWNS).

Ms Rayner was not available to be interviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, but in a statement subsequently released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Deputy PM said that the violence seen in Hanley had been 'completely unacceptable'.

She said: "It has been powerful listening to those who experienced the violence that took place here in Stoke-on-Trent. Police officers assaulted and missiles thrown, scenes which were completely unacceptable.

"The appalling violence we've seen in our towns and communities has understandably left many feeling anxious and fearful. Communities – like here in Stoke-on-Trent – have united in opposition to this hatred and violence. But given the level of damage that has taken place we're urgently looking at what more support we can give the most affected areas.

"It's important that we ensure communities across the country can thrive. That's why we are on a national mission to boost growth in every region of the country."

Ms Rayner said local growth plans for areas such as Stoke-on-Trent would help spark 'a new era of long-term national renewal'.

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READ MORE: Man arrested after 'threatening customers with a small knife' in Stoke-on-Trent

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