Three more arrested after Hoylake hotel protests

The protests followed reports a former hotel will be used as accommodation for male asylum seekers

Three more people have been arrested following protests outside a Wirral hotel, police have said.

The protests in Hoylake - which drew counter-demonstrations at the same site - followed reports the Home Office is planning to use the town's former Holiday Inn Express as accommodation for male asylum seekers.

Three Wirral men, aged 28, 30 and 43, have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences and remain in custody, Merseyside Police said.

"We will continue to take action against anyone that attends a protest and breaks the law," said Supt Karl Baldwin.

'Government decision'

Last week, a 25-year-old man from the Sefton area was arrested on suspicion of inviting support for a proscribed (banned) terrorist organisation.

Commenting after the latest arrests, Supt Baldwin said the force "respects the right of people to protest and express their views".

"Everyone has the right to the protest," he said, but added: "Nobody has the right to threaten, intimidate or break the law."

Last week Wirral Council issued a statement over the proposed changes at the former hotel.

"The building is already used as asylum-seeker accommodation for families, but the government's plan is to move existing occupants out and move a new group in," the statement said.

"We – the council – object to the plans, but we don't have any authority to refuse: it's a government decision.

"We're still working with them, and we're in close contact with Merseyside Police and other partners to monitor the situation, so we're well placed to manage any issues.

"Ultimately the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the Hoylake community, including asylum seekers, is the top priority."

"If anything significant changes, the authority would inform local residents."