MIGRANT protests have taken to the streets again today as demonstrations spread across the country.
Protests began outside hotels housing asylum seekers in Epping and Canary Wharf last week.
GettyProtests broke out in Norwich yesterday with a heavy police presence on the scene[/caption]
SolentDemonstrators and counter-protesters gathered outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Portsmouth[/caption]
PAProtesters are gathering in Epping, Essex, today for another migrant hotel protest[/caption]
But the demonstrations have spread, with angry crowds gathering in Norwich, Leeds, Southampton and Nottinghamshire over the weekend.
Protesters gathered again in Epping today outside the Bell Hotel, chanting “stop the boats”, “send them back” and “Keir Starmer’s a w*****”.
A large sign reading “protect our kids”, and music including the Star Wars Imperial March theme was blasted from speakers.
Another sign described Epping, East London, as a “P.O.W camp”.
At around 2.20pm, four migrants walked past into the hotel.
Signs read: “Put local people first.”
Another read: “British people are not racists. They just had enough of being overtaken culturally and lawfully.
“That don’t make us far right.”
Protesters started arriving at around midday draped in Union Jacks and St George’s Cross flags.
One excited man had a Make Britain Great Again hat on, and others put bunting along the fence that police put up between them and the Bell Hotel.
Around 350 Counter protesters arrived later and were escorted towards the hotel.
Police have set up two fenced-off areas, one for the protesters and another for the counter-protesters with police in the middle in a football-style home and away set up.
One man said through a megaphone: “Thanks to the police for giving us a cage. It’s a lovely piece of real estate.”
Carmen Edwards, 62, came with neighbour Shirley Mooney, 68, who both live in Epping.
They were carrying a St George’s Cross flag when a woman passed them on the street and shouted: “You can shove that flag up your arse.”
Carmen told The Sun she came “for the children” and to “protect the kids”.
GettyProtesters have begun to arrive outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, carrying large signs and placards[/caption]
AlamyPeople set off coloured flares as protesters gathered outside the Britannia Leeds Hotel in Middleton[/caption]
Protesters clad in clothes decorated with St George’s cross’ have arrived in Epping today
GettyOfficers were seen grappling with protesters in Norwich as groups gathered to demand an end to the use of the Brook Hotel as migrant accommodation[/caption]
Police handcuffed and detained a man believed to be in his 20s outside the Bell Hotel earlier.
Two officers asked the man to check his motorcycle gloves, he was standing outside the hotel and not with the main group of protesters.
The man, dressed in all black, repeatedly refused and told officers “I don’t trust you, I don’t care, I don’t trust you”.
The police officer reassured him that his body worn camera was filming, but he still refused to take off his gloves to show them.
He was threatened with arrest before he eventually let them see his glove, and concerns appeared to be raised over the knuckles.
He was then handcuffed and taken behind a police van where officers searched his rucksack.
The growing anger comes as the government vowed to close migrant hotels by 2029 and save £1 billion in part by transferring people into less expensive sites such as private housing.
They promised a “firm but fair” crackdown, with illegal migrants refusing to move into cheaper digs set to lose their financial support.
But many migrants housed in hotels have been refusing to move out of their cushy pads.
Fury at the situation appears to be intensifying with protests outside hotels in recent weeks ramping up, several are planned for today.
After the widespread disorder last summer, sparked by false rumours about the Southport stabber, cops are keen to avoid a repeat.
Police have so far arrested 18 people and charged seven in connection with the continuous protests in Epping.
In Norwich there have been two arrests, both men in their 20s who were taken Wymondham Police Investigation Centre where they remain.
Essex Police issued a ban on face coverings ahead of the planned protest in Epping today.
Demonstrators were warned that if they wear a face covering they could face arrest.
Angry crowds have gathered to protest migrant hotels in Norwich, Leeds, Southampton, Nottinghamshire and London in recent weeks.
GettyPolice have arrived in Epping, Essex, to keep the protests under control[/caption]
Protesters in Epping are demanding that the Bell Hotel, used to house migrants, be shut down
PAMore than 300 people showed up to a planned protest in Epping today[/caption]
It comes after plans for an elite team of cops tasked with monitoring social media for anti-migrant posts came to light.
Detectives would be handpicked from forces all across the UK to snoop on social media posts under the plans.
The division, overseen by the Home Office, would look to “maximise social media intelligence” gathering.
The plans were revealed after multiple forces were slammed for their response to last year’s migrant unrest.
The migrant hotel demonstrations in Epping first began after an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault, they have since spread to the rest of the country.
The man is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Essex Police said in a statement yesterday: “Our priority is keeping Epping safe.
“We’re here to support peaceful protest – but we will not tolerate criminal behaviour.”
According to the latest Home Office data 32,000 asylum seekers are being housed in around 210 hotels across the country.
A record 24,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025.
The Border Force was spotted escorting migrants to shore as they arrived in Dover today amid the background of protests.
Pictures show dozens of Channel migrants dressed in bright orange lifejackets being escorted ashore from boats.
Stuart BrockDozens of migrants in bright orange lifejackets were welcomed ashore by teams of Border Force staff[/caption]
Stuart BrockPictures captured in Dover today show migrants arriving in the UK[/caption]
Stuart BrockIt comes after the news yesterday that a migrant died attempting to cross The Channel[/caption]
SolentProtesters outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Portsmouth, held up banners and waved Union Jacks outside the migrant hotel[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
