Three arrests as hundreds join asylum hotel demo

Protesters gathered in Worcester, many carrying England flags, to call for an end to hotels being used to house asylum seekers, while anti-racism campaigners staged a counter-demo opposite.

Inspector Andy Hodgetts, from West Mercia Police, confirmed there were two protests in Worcester on Wednesday night, outside the Fownes Hotel in Clare Street - believed to be housing asylum seekers.

He said officers worked to ensure people could express their human rights without breaching the peace and causing safety concerns, with officers adding there were about 150 people in attendance.

Police said three people were arrested. Two have been released and one remains in custody.

After both union jack and St George's flags appeared on lampposts and roundabouts in the city in recent weeks, both Labour and Conservative politicians spoke out in support of expressions of patriotism, but called for people to follow the rules.

The counter-protest was to support the people in the hotel, the mayor said

Protesters were at the demo from 17:30 BST to about 21:40 BST when roads reopened after earlier closures.

Officers said a man, 38, arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, remained in custody.

A woman, 37, arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, has been released under investigation, and a man, 53, arrested for breaching the peace was released without charge.

Two officers who were assaulted were not hurt, police said.

Supt Gareth Morgan said the protest was "overwhelmingly peaceful", but a small minority behaved in a way that was disruptive.

He said officers were still reviewing footage to identify any further offences.

Police said there had been a peaceful protest in the city

Mayor of Worcester and Labour councillor Matt Lamb joined the counter-protesters to show his "unity and solidarity for the people in the Fownes Hotel".

He said the right to protest peacefully was part of the freedoms people enjoy in Britain, adding: "If people want to protest outside the Fownes Hotel, as long as they do it peacefully, without intimidating people, that's fine."

After flags appeared around the city, Lamb said he had flown union jack flags at his own property for the Lionesses' victory in the UEFA Women's Euros, adding: "At the end of the day, I'm a patriot, I love my country."

But he said the rules were clear that flags should not be flown from lampposts.

Bromsgrove's Conservative MP Bradley Thomas said people should take pride in the English flag and show it in their cars, homes and gardens, adding: "The very fact that if we're not collectively standing by the flag and don't fly it with pride, enables it to be adopted by those who've got extreme views."

However, he advised people against painting the flag on roundabouts or flying it from lampposts and said: "We've got to respect property rights."