Placing more asylum seekers in hotels will fuel resentment and spark fresh ­violence, the Home Office has been warned.

Protests have already rocked the country and the Local Government Association, which represents authorities, believes that things will get worse.

It said: “There has been a considerable increase in concerns from councils around growing ­tensions linked to asylum and resettlement and an uptick in activity from activists.”

And it warned: “We anticipate that these issues will continue to grow, both as increasing numbers of local authorities receive new arrivals, and as narratives build on mainstream concerns about pressures on public services/housing stock, safety, the cost of ­living and on anti-establishment rhetoric.”

There has been a series of demonstrations outside hotels, including a clash in February in Knowsley, Merseyside, where police said extremist groups had “used it as an excuse to commit violence”.

READ MORE Robert Jenrick says ‘no further concessions’ on Illegal Migration Bill

But the Home Office is continuing to place arrivals in hotels, despite vowing to end it. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been urged by a police and crime commissioner to “pause and review” plans to house around 250 ­people at a luxury spa hotel in Llanelli.

The Stradey Park Hotel axed staff and ­cancelled bookings and weddings in preparation for the switch. But Dafydd Llywelyn, the local Police and Crime Commissioner, warned of “potentially serious and escalating tensions”.

And Lee Waters, Llanelli’s Labour member of the Welsh Parliament, said “communities right across the country” faced a similar situation. He added: “The Home Office refuses to listen and that’s making people feel powerless and angry.”

Don’t miss… Express readers hit out at Senior Tory’s ‘out of touch’ migrant crisis solution[LATEST]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Home Office figures in May showed 47,518 asylum seekers were in hotels. The Government has pledged to reduce their use. Last week 46 arrived at the former military site in Wethersfield, Essex.

Preparations are also continuing on the Bibby Stockholm vessel, which will begin to house people later this month.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: “Those who have entered illegally shouldn’t be in hotels. Disused military sites and vessels will provide accommodation for small boat arrivals while we pursue their removal.

Source: Read Full Article