TERRIFIED schoolgirls were given rape alarms by cops over fears they were being stalked by asylum seekers from a nearby migrant hotel.
Officers acted amid claims the teens had been photographed between lessons by men housed at the nearby Mercure, in Dumfries.
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Schoolgirls were given rape alarms by cops over fears they were being stalked by asylum seekers
Parents say worried girls fear they are being targeted at break times by groups from the Mercure
And young girls are too scared to walk the streets of their home town amid claims they are being ogled by men from the hotel, a mum has said.
The concerned parent told how kids fear they are being targeted at break times by groups from the Mercure, which is housing dozens of asylum seekers.
The Scottish Sun visited the town and witnessed males from the hotel hanging around and leering at schoolchildren during lunchtimes.
It comes as police confirmed two teenage girls had been given rape alarms over concerns for their safety amid claims they had been photographed by some of the men.
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The mother, who asked not to be named, told how the groups are making children feel “terrified” about going into the town centre.
She said: “Every single day these guys turn up just as the school is about to break for lunch and hang around just to perv on the kids.
“Some of the girls have stopped going into the town as they feel so unsafe. There have been suggestions that the men have made crude comments to some of the kids.
“The police need to get a grip on this and start patrolling the town during these times, but they don’t.
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“We cannot get to a position where the answer to this issue is to give schoolgirls rape alarms and hope they don’t get attacked.”
The hotel has seen demos by “far-right” protesters, which critics claim is a safety risk to the community.
Earlier this year, a man living in the Mercure was arrested over a “child protection” concern.
Our reporter spent a day in the town recently and witnessed around 15 men congregating in the main shopping area, watching pupils on their lunch break.
But as soon as the kids returned to campus, the men disappeared — only for another small group to arrive at the end of the school day.
Local politician and Scottish Tory candidate Craig Hoy said: “These reports are deeply alarming and reflect the fears of residents I have spoken with.
“It is shocking that we have reached a point where girls have had to be given alarms to keep them safe from potential threats from migrants.
“Authorities must give locals urgent reassurance that they are robustly monitoring these individuals. It is time to close the asylum hotel in Dumfries to address concerns.”
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Latest official figures reveal 1,632 migrants were housed in controversial so-called asylum hotels at the end of December 2025.
Home Office stats for these “contingency” hotels show 91 residents in Dumfries and Galloway, accounting for all of the asylum seekers currently receiving UK Government support in the local authority area.
Asylum hotel accommodation started being used in the south-west Scotland council area in second half of 2023, and peaked at 102 people being housed there in the third quarter of 2025.
In January First Minister John Swinney said he will consider introducing buffer zones around premises housing asylum seekers in Scotland.
His comments came after protests in Falkirk, Perth and Aberdeen where locals have been staging regular demos.
The UK Government pledged to overhaul the asylum process and tackle illegal immigration, with new plans unveiled by the home secretary in November.
Under the proposals, most asylum seekers will have to wait 20 years to apply to settle permanently, with deportations to be sped up when claims are rejected.
Asylum seekers will also have their refugee status reviewed every two-and-a-half years rather than five, and could be deported if their home country is at any time deemed safe.
The hotel was given a Home Office contract to house asylum seekers in 2023. It is believed the deal was to cater for single males.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “In January, officers carried out enquiries following the report of two men acting suspiciously in the Dumfries area. No criminality was established.
“Two teenagers were provided with appropriate safety advice and given personal attack alarms.”
They added: “On February 19, police received a report of potential child protection concerns.
“A 19-year-old man was arrested and later released without charge.”
The Home Office said: “This government is removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain.
“That is why we will close every single asylum hotel, moving asylum seekers into basic accommodation.
“The population in asylum hotels has fallen by nearly 20 per cent in the last year and by 45 per cent since the peak under the previous government.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council was asked to comment.
Scottish Tory candidate Craig Hoy said: ‘These reports are deeply alarming’Credit: Alamy
Young girls are too scared to walk the streets of their home town, a mum has said.Credit: Michael Schofield
The hotel was given a Home Office contract to house asylum seekers in 2023.Credit: Michael Schofield