Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel

An angry UK village has lined the streets with British flags in protest of a hotel housing asylum seekers. The locals have reportedly been protesting almost daily outside the hotel in the hopes of getting the asylum seekers to leave, and they say the flags are part of a protest, a signal of patriotism, and to catch the attention of those in power, according to Victoria Derbyshire.

Residents of Trinity Close in Stanwell, near Heathrow Airport, have lived across the road from asylum seekers in the hotel for years, but it had previously been a popular local venue for weddings, events, and parties. Derbyshire, who visited the village, said locals claimed there had been antisocial behaviour around the hotel. Now, everyone in the cul-de-sac has hung a St George's Flag or a Union Jack outside their home, and even painted the roundabout to represent St George's flag.

Signs staked outside the hotel claimed there were men staying there without DBS checks, and locals also said they found large groups of men "intimidating".

Reports suggested an increase in the number of male hotel occupants; however, on August 22, the Home Office categorically stated that this information was incorrect.

They confirmed that, since a decision was made on August 1 to pause plans to exclusively house male asylum seekers in the hotel, no additional single adult males had been moved into the facility.

On August 1, Spelthorne Borough Council (SBC) said families, including vulnerable women and children, seeking asylum were currently staying there.

However, locals still want to see the hotel returned to community use. Speaking to The Sun, Alison Haskins, 53, claimed she lost her job before the asylum seekers were sent to the hotel.

She said: "I was working there and we got given a week's notice to say they were turning it into an asylum hotel for Ukrainians, there were no Ukrainians there.

"I had to tell everyone from the street, we had to ring brides up to say sorry you can't have your wedding there anymore."

In a Spelthorne Borough Council statement on August 22, leader Joanne Sexton said: "We understand and share the concerns of Stanwell residents and are committed to representing their voice at the highest levels.

"The Council remains resolute in its stance against the Home Office's decision, and we continue to pursue all available legal and political avenues.

"We urge residents to continue their protest peacefully and respectfully, as we work together towards a fair and safe resolution for our community."

It comes after a weekend of protests swept across the UK, with demonstrators from Abolish Asylum System coming up against Stand Up to Racism, who held a counter-protest outside at least 26 hotels this weekend.

At least 15 arrests were made on Saturday, with one in Bristol, three in Horley, and 11 in Liverpool.