“Sickening” riots in Rotherham were a “dark day” for the town, South Yorkshire Police have said, condemning the actions of far-right thugs. At least 12 police officers were injured during disorder outside a hotel housing asylum seekers on Sunday 4 August. Lindsey Butterfield, assistant chief constable, said the injuries followed “a day and night of violence and disorder”. “I can confirm today that we have seen at least 12 of our officers injured with items such as bricks, fenceposts, branches and other missiles thrown at them,” she said on Monday. “Yesterday was a dark day, and we know this was felt across our county.”