Families terrified to sleep after Rotherham riots, says former England cricketer Azeem Rafiq

Former England cricketer Azeem Rafiq has suggested families in Rotherham are going to sleep at night “not feeling safe” in their own homes amid unrest on the streets.

Riots have rocked the town and other major cities across the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and Stoke, as far-right thugs launched violent disorder in the wake of the killings of three young girls in Southport.

“It’s petrifying going to sleep at night in your own home and not feeling safe,” Mr Rafiq, who has family in the Rotherham area, told Sky News.

He added that members of the community are checking in with each other as the unrest continues.