Five arrests in west London anti-asylum protests
The Metropolitan Police say five people were arrested on Saturday after masked men tried to force their way into a west London hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
Officers said the group attempted to enter the Crowne Plaza in West Drayton through a rear entrance, damaging security fences in the process. The incident occurred shortly after two anti-asylum groups, numbering around 500 people, marched on the hotel at midday.
Nationwide Demonstrations
The protests in London were part of a wider wave of demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers across England and Scotland. Clashes between pro- and anti-immigration groups took place in Falkirk, Scotland, while other demonstrations were reported in Warrington, Skegness, Barnwood in Gloucester, and Portsmouth.
The unrest follows a Court of Appeal ruling on Friday that overturned a provisional injunction preventing the Bell Hotel in Epping from housing asylum seekers. Just hours after the judgment, a riot broke out in the town, leading to two arrests.
Police Response
In west London, a splinter group from the original march attempted to approach other nearby hotels, including the Novotel on Cherry Lane and a Holiday Inn. Police enforced cordons to prevent further disruption.
Three arrests were made during the clashes near the hotels, while two more followed as the crowd dispersed. Two officers sustained minor injuries, police confirmed.
Commander Adam Slonecki, overseeing London policing over the weekend, said:
“We know the strength of feeling on these topics, but we will take immediate action if a peaceful protest crosses the line into criminality, including assaults on officers.”
A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place, giving officers powers to order individuals to leave the area if they were suspected of causing disorder.
The five people arrested face charges including assault on a police officer, affray, and violent disorder.
