Five people have been arrested in west London after a group of masked men tried to force their way into a hotel housing asylum seekers, the Metropolitan Police said. Officers were called to the Crowne Plaza on Stockley Road shortly after midday on Saturday, where two anti-asylum groups had gathered. The masked group attempted to enter through the rear entrance and damaged security fences.
Other demonstrators moved towards neighbouring hotels, including the Novotel in West Drayton and a Holiday Inn. Police imposed cordons to prevent a breach of the peace, leading to three arrests. Two officers suffered minor injuries, and two further arrests were made as the crowd was dispersed. A Section 35 dispersal order is now in effect, allowing officers to direct people out of the area.
Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, said: “Around 500 protesters were in the area, but most people have now dispersed from the immediate vicinity. However, further arrests will be made if we need to tackle disorder.” The Metropolitan Police said the investigation continues.
In Essex, police introduced a Section 60AA order enabling them to order the removal of face coverings, along with a dispersal order, before a planned protest in Epping on Saturday evening. Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin stated: “We never take the decision to impose restrictions on members of the public lightly. However, we must guard against the impact of antisocial behaviour on our community.”
Separately, in Falkirk, hundreds of counter-protesters gathered after activists from the Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures groups demonstrated outside the Cladhan hotel, which houses asylum seekers. Labour MP Euan Stainbank said the government's focus on processing claims would allow the closure of asylum hotels created under the previous government.
