Employees describe terror as rioters attack a station

Staff at Hull station described the horrific moments when rioters threw missiles at the building and tried to break down the doors.

During the violence on August 3, police officers were attacked, shops were looted and a neighboring hotel housing asylum seekers was attacked.

Matthew Cooper of the TransPennine Express said: “It was extremely worrying how many missiles were actually thrown at the windows.”

The first three rioters in the city were sentenced on Friday at Hull Crown Court, where it was ruled that the cessation of operations and subsequent temporary closure of the station cost the rail operator £13,664.

Mr Cooper, a customer service manager at the station, said he and four other staff had to “physically hold one of the doors closed” to prevent rioters from storming the concourse and platforms.

“They were trying to get through the door, trying to gain entry to open everything while throwing projectiles, breaking windows and breaking the door locks.”

He said the rioters used “everything they could get their hands on – rocks and glass bottles” and hurled them at the building.

Adam Shone, a regional manager, described it as a “very scary time for our team.”

“About half an hour after I arrived at the station, the protest had become quite violent and projectiles were being thrown at the Royal Station Hotel.

“We witnessed missiles being thrown at the station and unfortunately our station was also slightly damaged.”

Mr Cooper praised officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) and Humberside Police for their efforts to keep civilians safe, describing their work on the day as “absolutely phenomenal”.

“They were able to get the situation under control and prevent people from entering the station,” said Cooper, who previously worked for BTP.

Transport Minister Louise Haigh echoed his praise during a visit to Hull on Monday.

“I am here to express my enormous gratitude and admiration for their courage and to thank them for their continued role in dealing with tensions in the community here,” she said.

“I am a former auxiliary police officer myself, so I know a little about what they have been through. The courage and public service they have provided on the front line is extraordinary.”