POLICE have arrested five people as a fresh wave of protests sweep the country following the controversial Epping migrant hotel ruling.
At around midday today, two anti-asylum groups marched to the Crowne Plaza hotel in West London.
Crowds of anti-migrant demonstrators holding English flags and Union Jacks gather outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton[/caption]
Met Police have made a total of five arrests[/caption]
A group of masked men attempted to enter the hotel via the rear entrance, damaging the security hoarding, according to the Met Police.
A breakaway protest group moved towards the nearby Novotel on Cherry Lane where officers were also positioned before some of the crowd moved towards the Holiday Inn.
Officers enforced cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace and three arrests were made.
Two officers suffered minor injuries.
A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place which allows officers to direct people to leave the area and not return if they suspect they may cause disorder.
Two more arrests were made as officers dispersed the crowd.
Protesters did not gain entry to any hotel.
Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, said: “We have prepared with additional resources to police protests at migrant hotels over the last few weeks and 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.”
Unrest was sparked last night after a ruling to boot migrants out of the Bell Hotel in Essex, was overturned by the Court of Appeal.
Demonstrators gather during an anti-immigration protest outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle today[/caption]
Protesters want an end to migrants being housed in the hotel[/caption]
Demonstrators holding English flags and Union Jacks gather outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton[/caption]
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.
It comes as chaos unfolded at anti-migrant protests last night as cops made three arrests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The hotel in Essex, has been at the centre of protests after two of its guests were charged with sexual offences.
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 – meaning the migrants can stay where they are for now.
It also gave permission for the Home Office to appeal against Mr Justice Eyre’s ruling not to let it intervene in the case as their involvement was “not necessary”.
It came after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made a last-ditch bid to join the battle.
But unrest was triggered across the country after a ruling to boot migrants out of the Epping hotel was overturned by the Court of Appeal.
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.
Protesters push past a barrier outside The Delta Marriott Hotel last night[/caption]
Protesters were also outside The Roundhouse in Bournemouth, Dorset, yesterday[/caption]
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.
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.