16 hours ago
Worcester police arrest one after hundreds join asylum hotel demo
Hundreds of people have gathered as protesters, many carrying England flags, called for an end to hotels being used to house asylum seekers, while anti-racism campaigners staged a counter-demo Andy Hodgetts, from West Mercia Police, confirmed there were two protests in Worcester on Wednesday night outside the Fownes Hotel - believed to be housing asylum seekers - with about 250 people in said officers worked to ensure people could express their human rights without breaching the peace and causing safety concerns.A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
After both union jack and St George's flags appeared on lampposts and roundabouts in the city in recent weeks, both Labour and Conservative politicians spoke out in support of expressions of patriotism, but called for people to follow the rules.
Mayor of Worcester and Labour councillor Matt Lamb joined the counter-protesters to show his "unity and solidarity for the people in the Fownes Hotel".He said the right to protest peacefully was part of the freedoms people enjoy in Britain, adding: "If people want to protest outside the Fownes Hotel, as long as they do it peacefully, without intimidating people, that's fine."After flags appeared around the city, Lamb said the two issues were said he had flown union jack flags at his own property for the Lionesses' victory in the UEFA Women's Euros and he had no problem with the union jack or St George's flag, adding: "At the end of the day, I'm a patriot, I love my country."But he said the rules were clear that flags should not be flown from lampposts.
Bromsgrove's Conservative MP Bradley Thomas called for the St George's flag to be flown more to stop it being claimed by "extremists".Thomas said people should take pride in the English flag and show it in their cars, homes and gardens, adding: "The very fact that if we're not collectively standing by the flag and don't fly it with pride, enables it to be adopted by those who've got extreme views."He advised people against painting the flag on roundabouts or flying it from lampposts and said: "We've got to respect property rights."Reform UK-led Worcestershire County Council said there were no plans to remove flags on lampposts, but police are treating the painting of roundabouts as "criminal damage".
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