Protesters have clashed with police as demonstrations against hotels housing asylum seekers began to take place across the UK.
Demonstrations under the “Abolish Asylum System” slogan were being held in towns and cities across England, including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Horley in Surrey and Canary Wharf in central London.
There were also protests in Aberdeen and Perth in Scotland and Mold in Flintshire, Wales.
Counterprotests organised by Stand Up to Racism were taking place in Bristol, Cannock, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wakefield, Horley and Long Eaton in Derbyshire.
In Bristol, mounted police were brought in to separate rival groups in the Castle Park, with officers scuffling with protesters.
Police have authorised a dispersal zone, allowing officers more powers to move groups or individuals causing “harassment, alarm or distress to others”. It will remain in place until 7am on Sunday.
In Horley, about 200 anti-immigration protesters draped in St George and union flags clashed with roughly 50 Stand Up to Racism protesters in Bonehurst Road.
The anti-racism protesters chanted: “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” and held signs calling for solidarity and to “stop deportations”.
They were met with a torrent of abuse from the anti-migration group, one of whom yelled through a megaphone: “You’re all scum and you should be ashamed.”
Saturday’s events come amid continued tension around the use of the hotels for asylum seekers.
On Tuesday, the high court granted Epping Forest district council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell hotel in Epping, Essex, from 12 September.
Regular protests had been held outside the hotel in recent weeks after an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denies.
The government announced plans on Friday to appeal against the high court’s refusal to allow it to intervene in the case, and to further appeal against the temporary injunction.
Other local councils have also announced their intention to seek legal advice as to whether they could achieve a similar injunction for hotels in their areas.
More details soon …