Police have arrested more than a dozen people, including a 13-year-old, after rioters set fire to a van and hurled lit fireworks at officers during a far-Right protest against refugees.

Thugs armed with hammers hijacked a “peaceful protest” outside the Suites Hotel on the outskirts of Liverpool, which was being used to house asylum-seekers, Merseyside Police said. 

The gang, who were not part of the original protest in Knowsley on Friday, “were only interested in causing trouble through violence and intimidation”, the force’s chief constable said. 

Footage posted on social media of the attacks, which left two members of the public and one officer injured, shows rioters cheering as they set a police van on fire. 

A total of 13 men and two women, between the ages of 13 and 54, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, Merseyside Police said in a statement.

“Missiles including lit fireworks were thrown at officers and one of our police vans was attacked by offenders, using hammers before setting it on fire,” it added.

This is a breaking story. More to follow.