Migrant hotels are bracing themselves for a wave of protests that are set to sweep the country this weekend. Around 30 demonstrations are being planned after a High Court judge ordered the removal of migrants from the Bell Hotel from next month.
The hotel has been the focus of protests after one resident was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, prompting public concern and calls for stricter oversight. Demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel last month drew up to 2,000 people, highlighting the intensity of local opposition. It comes after new data revealed that 32,059 migrants were living in taxpayer-funded hotels as of June this year – an 8% increase compared with the previous year.
Manchester City Council has seen the biggest rise in migrants being housed in hotels, from 874 at the end of March to 1,158 at the end of June.
This was followed by Birmingham City Council, which rose from 1,018 to 1,226 over the same period.
It is understood that among the areas where demonstrations are due to take place are Chichester, Cannock, Wakefield and Tamworth as well as Gloucester and Maidstone.
Anti-racism groups held by Stand Up To Racism are also scrambling to co-ordinate counter-protests, sending a stark warning that towns and cities could experience the worst disruption since the riots last summer.
They are prepared to protest tonight in Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Leicester, Leeds, Orpington, Perth, Aberdeen and Altrincham.
Anti-migrant protests and counter-demonstrations are also expected to take place in Bournemouth, Cardiff and Leeds today.
Some 14 more — in towns and cities including Bristol, Hawley, Cannock, Nottingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Tamworth, Wakefield, Liverpool, Oldham, Exeter, Oxford, Perth and Aberdeen — are planned for Saturday. Another two are being organised in Manchester and Dudley on Sunday.
Next week, hotels in Falkirk, Gloucester and Stockport have also been earmarked for action
Reform UK’s leaders have been encouraging people to march on their local asylum hotels and demand the removal of migrants.
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said the people of Epping who protested outside the Bell Hotel, and its council have “led the way”.
Writing in The Telegraph, he said that “our country’s patience has snapped”.