Police attending a planned protest outside a Sutton Coldfield hotel tonight have been given additional powers after previous demos have led to ‘racist abuse’, physical assaults and a weapon being found
16:34, 09 Jan 2026Updated 17:01, 09 Jan 2026
Police have been given extra stop-and-search powers around the Ramada Hotel in Penns Lane in Sutton Coldfield which is being used to house asylum seekers(Image: )
Police have been handed extra powers to manage a protest outside a Birmingham hotel used to house asylum seekers after a series of incidents turning ugly at previous demos.
West Midlands Police has said there have been a series of demonstrations outside the Ramada Hotel in Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield and a number of which have led to racist abuse and attacks and a weapon being seen.
The hotel has been used by the Government to accommodate asylum seekers since October 2021, when it was shut down suddenly from its original purpose, leaving couples with weddings booked ‘devastated’.
Read more: Sutton Coldfield asylum hotel owners make millions from asylum seeker contract
But there have been a ‘series of incidents’ on previous Friday evenings when protestors have been gathering outside voicing their concern over asylum seekers being housed at the venue.
Police have said while they respect the right to protest, some of the demos have turned ugly with racist abuse, physical assaults and on one occasion a person was reported with a knife.
As a result the West Midlands force has section 60 powers – enhanced police rights to stop and search individuals and vehicles in the area for weapons or ‘dangerous instrument’s without the need for any suspicion.
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The powers are in place along Penns Lane as well as parts of the parkland that surronds the hotel.
Police will also have the right to ask people to remove any face masks.
Those additional powers will be in place from 5pm to 11pm on Friday (January 9).
Read more: Number of asylum seekers in city hotels revealed amid one of UK’s biggest rises
A spokesperson for the force said: “We wanted to update you as we will be using Section 60 powers in parts of Sutton Coldfield later today (January 9), following a series of incidents on previous Friday evenings.
“During demonstrations outside a hotel on Penns Lane, there have been several verbal and physical assaults, some of which have been racist in nature, as well as a report of someone with a bladed article.
“As ever, our focus is on keeping everyone in the area safe, which is why we are using these extra powers, allowing us to stop and search people without the need to have reasonable grounds.
“It also means we can require anyone wearing face coverings to remove them.
“The powers will be in place from 5pm until 11pm, in the area highlighted on the map.
“We have a long history of upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, to keep the public safe and prevent crime and disorder.”
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Sutton Coldfield Inspector Hayley Thompson added: “We don’t use these powers lightly, but we are acting to ensure we can keep everyone in the area safe.
“We will have increased patrols and uniformed officers in the area this evening to reassure the community.
“I would ask anyone with concerns to please speak to us or get in touch via our website.”