Migrant hotel sees protest and counter-protest

Anti-immigration protestors gathered outside the Thistle Hotel in Swindon

A crowd of anti-immigration protestors gathered outside a hotel housing asylum seekers have been met by a group of counter-protestors.

About 100 demonstrators holding England and Union flags assembled outside the Thistle Hotel in Swindon, Wiltshire, on Saturday afternoon.

Counter-protestors led by the group Swindon Stand Up To Racism held signs reading "have a heart" and "refugees welcome: stop the right".

Wiltshire Police officers and riot vans were at the scene and the protest remained peaceful.

One counter-protestor said: "Putting yourself in the hands of people smugglers isn't an easy choice. You do that when there's no alternative."

Natalie Easton, a teacher, told BBC Wiltshire: "Asylum seekers have come here seeking safety. It's wrong that they should be made to suffer even more after an already difficult journey."

She said she understood the protestors' anger, but said it wasn't the fault of migrants.

But Keith Wright, who joined the anti-migration protest, said: "This is about protecting our children in the future. It's got nothing to do with race.

"They shouldn't be over here. (Asylum seekers) are causing all this trouble and getting away with it."

Jake Stroud said he was "leaning towards" the anti-migration side.

"I've always supported anti-fascism, anti-racism, at the moment the way I see it there is a very distinct lack of care for people in this country, who have lived in this country their whole lives," he said.

About 80 counter-protestors met at the Thistle Hotel

"I was homeless for six months this winter and I didn't get any help from the council. I was told I'm a white, single, British man who wasn't as in need as other people.

"They said they couldn't find me any shelter, and there was no resources or funds to get me through."

At its height, about 200 people were present at the protest, along with about 20 police officers and two riot vans.

The protest remained peaceful and police left the scene at about 16:25 BST.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, explained Wiltshire Police's approach.

"It's really hard for police to decide what to deploy. It's better to have enough here to manage whatever the circumstances," he said.

"Yes they could be doing other things elsewhere but this has the potential to be a flash point. We want to make Wiltshire a safe place for everybody."