Sophie Reaper has thanked GB News viewers for their messages of support after being “assaulted” and hit on the head by a placard while reporting on an anti-migrant protest on Friday.
The GB News journalist was attacked with a metal pole whilst reporting live from demonstrations in Altrincham on Friday evening, where she tried to speak with pro-migrant counter-protestors.
Sophie was struck on the head by a Stand Up to Racism protester as she attempted to interview counter-demonstrators outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
The assault occurred when Reaper crossed from the anti-migrant protest to speak with opposing demonstrators. Counter-protesters told her to “go away” and “go back to your side” before the situation escalated.
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“I’ve just been hit by a placard on the head by one of these counter protesters,” Sophie said during the broadcast. Her security guard and police officers intervened as tensions mounted.
Taking to social media following the ordeal, Sophie assured fans she was okay, albeit shaken up, as she issued a series of updates.
On X, Sophie wrote: “Thank you for all the messages of concern after I was assaulted at a protest in Altrincham. We went to the Stand Up To Racism counter-protest to offer them the chance to tell their side on @GBNEWS – instead, I was hit in the head by a metal pole.
“Making a statement to GMP now. A big thank you to my team and to Greater Manchester Police for how they handled the situation. Really grateful to them.”
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On Instagram, Sophie hit out further. “Whilst covering a protest/counter-protest in Altrincham tonight, I was assaulted by a member of Stand Up to Racism,” she shared.
“Whilst live on air, attempting to get both sides of the story, I was hit in the head with a metal pole. Aside from a painful lump on my head and being a bit shaken up, I’m totally fine.
“But I have given a statement to GMP, as I think it’s a disgrace anyone feels they can be violent towards me just for doing my job,” she signed off.
Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered on both sides of the A56 Church Street dual carriageway outside Cresta Court hotel on Friday evening.
The former Best Western hotel had been converted to asylum seeker accommodation following an agreement between its owners and Serco last year.
Police officers formed a barrier along the central reservation, keeping the opposing groups separated. Approximately 100 protesters assembled on each side by 6pm.
Anti-migrant demonstrators waved UK and English flags whilst chanting “save our kids” and “send them home”. Some wore suits, others sported baseball caps bearing “Make Britain Great Again” slogans.
Counter-demonstrators carrying Stand Up to Racism placards responded with chants of “refugees are welcome here”. The rival groups exchanged hostile shouts, with anti-migrant protesters calling their opponents “traitors”.
The Altrincham hotel became a focal point for protests after closing to regular guests last year when all bookings were transferred to other Trafford venues. Local residents expressed mixed reactions to the conversion, with some voicing safety concerns about the new occupants.
“We’re not racist we’re just worried about our kids. We don’t know who they are. They’ve got no passports,” one resident told reporters. Others expressed frustration about government spending on refugee accommodation.
Nahella Ashraf, co-chair of Stand Up to Racism in Greater Manchester, dismissed these concerns as unfounded. She argued that when the building operated as a regular hotel, residents never questioned who stayed there.
“You weren’t concerned then. So you’re telling me this is a legitimate concern? No it’s not. It’s racism at its core,” Ashraf stated.
The demonstrations in Altrincham formed part of a broader pattern of protests targeting asylum accommodation across England and Wales this weekend.
Police commanders mobilised 3,000 riot officers nationally, marking the first mass deployment of specialist public order units since last summer’s riots.
At least 20 hotels housing asylum seekers faced potential demonstrations, with each location likely to attract opposing rallies. Law enforcement sources confirmed 800 additional riot officers were placed on standby on Friday, supplementing 2,200 already planned.
The protests reflected growing tensions over refugee housing policies, with far-right groups promoting many demonstrations whilst local residents also participated. Multiple physical altercations were reported during the Altrincham protests, though Greater Manchester Police had not confirmed arrest numbers by Friday evening.