COPS have arrested five people as a fresh wave of protests sweep the country following the controversial Epping migrant hotel ruling.
Demonstrators marched to the Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton, west London, at around midday.
Shutterstock EditorialCrowds of demonstrators holding English flags and Union Jacks gathered outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton[/caption]
AlamyMet Police have made a total of five arrests[/caption]
AlamyTwo officers suffered minor injuries[/caption]
Rival protest groups clashed outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle
Protests have also taken place outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, Scotland
But during peaceful protests, the Met said a group of masked men attempted to force their way into the hotel.
It comes as the landmark verdict to boot migrants out of the Epping hotel was overturned by the Court of Appeal yesterday.
Protests have since continued to spread across the UK, with crowds also emerging in Newcastle, Swindon and Scotland.
And 19 councils have now vowed to take legal action to boot asylum seekers out of hotels.
The group attempted to get through the back entrance and damaged the security hoarding, with extra officers called in to assist.
Another breakaway crowd then moved towards the nearby Novotel, with others marching on the Holiday Inn.
Officers were force to put up cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace, with roughly 500 protesters said to be in attendance.
The initial chaos led to three arrests being made, while two officers suffered minor injuries.
Soon after, a Section 35 dispersal order was put in place, allowing officers to direct people to leave the area and not return.
Under the dispersal, two more arrests were made.
Despite numerous attempts, the protesters did not gain entry to any of the hotels.
Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, spoke of the force’s preparations for the disorder.
He said: “We have prepared with additional resources to police protests at migrant hotels over the last few weeks.
“This weekend is no exception.
“We understand strength of feeling on these issues, but where peaceful protest crosses the line into criminality, including injuries to our officers, we will take immediate action.
“We deployed additional officers to the area and five arrests have been made for offences including assault on a police officer, affray and violent disorder.
“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.
“Local residents and businesses can expect to see our continued presence and patrols in the area.”
Crowds waving Union Jack and England flags were spotted outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle.
Demonstrators also gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, Scotland.
Over 32,000 migrants were being housed in around 200 hotels across the UK at the end of June, according to government figures.
Protests were sparked last night after the ruling to boot migrants out of the Bell Hotel in Essex was overturned.
Protestors took to the streets this evening to make their feelings clear over the immigration issues facing the UK.
Hundreds of families carried placards and makeshift signs with many fearing for the community’s safety.
Many donned St George’s flags or Union Jacks in solidarity with British values as they vowed to protect their young women and girls.
The hotel in Essex, has been at the centre of protests after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.
AlamyProtesters pictured outside the Thistle Hotel in Swindon[/caption]
Protesters also demonstrated outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk, Scotland
GettyCrowds could be seen outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle today[/caption]
Angie Claire, 56, who has five grandchildren aged under seven, was protesting outside the building last night.
She told the Sun: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting for the safety of the children in the area.
“I’ve got nothing against immigrants but when they’re causing trouble and problems with our children, they need to be moved on.
“I think they should go home. Why should our government be funding all of this? I think it’s disgusting.
“My children grew up here and they were safe. We never had a worry in the world.
“Now there’s a fear of our children even walking out the front doors so I think it’s best they go.”
Epping Forest District Council last week won a bid at the High Court to block migrants from being housed at the hotel.
The temporary injunction meant that the building has to be cleared of its occupants by September 12.
Yesterday, the Court of Appeal overturned the injunction following an appeal by the Home Office and hotel owners Somani.
The latest ruling means the migrants can stay where they are for the time being.
It also gave permission for the Home Office to appeal against Mr Justice Eyre’s ruling not to let it intervene in the case.
He had previously deemed that their involvement was “not necessary”.
The Government has won for now – but what happens next?
THE government may have won today’s battle but does it mean they have won the war?
It needs to be remembered that the original order was a temporary one – although it did mean migrants in the Bell Hotel would have to pack up by September 12.
The case was set to return to court in October to lay out the next steps for a potential final injunction.
This would have had a far-reaching impact on councils across Britain had the order become permanent.
But the Court of Appeal’s ruling today may effectively have put an end to the Bell Hotel saga – and even potentially the controversy surrounding migrant hotels, at least from a legal standpoint.
It seems unlikely that other councils will follow through on their own plans to hold the hotel owners – and the government – to account and get migrants in their towns and cities booted out.
Defeated Epping Council today vowed to plough ahead with the October hearing but only if “that’s still possible”.
If the case does not go ahead – or does and they lose again – the ruling could only really change now if Epping launch an appeal bid to the Supreme Court.
However this seems unlikely given the damning nature of today’s decision.
For now, it appears the migrants at the Bell Hotel will be staying put.
It came after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made a last-ditch bid to join the battle.
Elsewhere, footage taken in outside the Delta Marriot hotel in Chestnut, Hertfordshire, last night showed crowds being held back by officers as they try to break through barriers.
One copper could be seen pushing a riled demonstrator back by the neck.
Seconds later, another local holding a beer was knocked to the floor and hauled up by fellow protesters.
Similar scenes took place outside The Highfield house hotel in Southampton.
A Union Jack flag was tied onto one of the hotel signs, while crowds chanted “stop the boats, take them home”.
Pink Ladies members also stepped out near The Roundhouse in Bournemouth, Dorset.
North News and PicturesProtesters want an end to migrants being housed in the hotel[/caption]
LNPProtesters push past a barrier outside The Delta Marriott Hotel last night[/caption]
BNPSProtesters were also outside The Roundhouse in Bournemouth, Dorset, yesterday[/caption]
One protester was pushed back by the neck in Epping on Friday night
Another, donning a St George’s flag was knocked to the ground Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
