Hundreds turn out for protests over asylum hotels in Perth

About 150 people attended a protest against housing asylum seekers in hotels in Perth

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Perth both against and in support of asylum seekers being housed in hotels in the city.

About 150 protestors gathered outside of the Radisson Blu hotel on the city's Leonard Street, chanting and holding signs including the slogan "get them out".

Meanwhile about 250 people took part in a counter protest across the street, unfurling a banner which read "no to racism" and "refugees welcome".

There was a large police presence outside the hotel near the Perth Railway Station car park and the two sides were separated by police.

Several other demonstrations against asylum seekers being housed in hotels are taking place across the UK.

Protestors called for an end to housing asylum seekers in hotels

Among the counter protestors was Mary Alexander from Perth Against Racism, who said the language used to describe asylum seekers was "horrific" and stirred up violence.

She added: "We are here to show our solidarity and support to asylum seekers and to oppose the language that is being used by the right to demonise communities of asylum seekers.

"We have always been a country that has welcomed people fleeing persecution, war and famine.

"We wanted to make sure the message was loud and clear today that we support fairness and justice in our society and solidarity with asylum seekers."

Mary Alexander was part of the counter protest supporting asylum seekers

She added: "There are problems in society, but those problems are not caused by asylum seekers - they are caused by politicians and policies.

"Instead of coming here and shouting abuse at asylum seekers, this group should be going down to councils and the Scottish parliament and making their views known about the policies they don't like.

"But it's not asylum seekers that are causing the problem."

BBC Scotland News approached those protesting against housing asylum seekers in hotels, but they declined to comment.

A larger counter protest stood by the entrance to the Radisson Blu in Perth

Ahead of the Perth protests, the council's community safety partnership accused some of spreading misinformation about asylum seekers, saying those protesting "under the guise of public safety or protection, do so with no local factual evidence".

It also said there had been no community safety issues with asylum seekers accommodated in Perth.

Separately, Perth and Kinross Council party leaders issued a joint statement ahead of the protest saying that welcoming refugees was "part of our history and who we are".

It said: "We defend the right to peaceful protest, but protests targeted at those who in many cases have lost their homes and family members to war, does not reflect the compassion, solidarity and fairness our communities are known for.

"That is why we are asking all residents to look beyond the misleading headlines and misinformation and treat those seeking refuge in our area the same way they would hope to be treated."

Protests against hotels being used for asylum accommodation are also taking place on Saturday in Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley in Surrey and Canary Wharf in central London.

Police Scotland said it was aware of planned protests in Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen.

A spokesperson added: "We will have appropriate resources in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance and mitigate disruption to the wider community."

Police separated the protestors to opposite sides outside the hotel

Similar protests have been taking place across the UK over the last month, though on much larger scales.

The demonstrations began at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after a man living in the hotel was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town.

Several hundred people - and on one occasion 2,000 according to Essex Police - have gathered near the Bell to protest, as well as many other hotels around the UK.

The protests have been promoted on social media under red, white and blue banner text with slogans such as "Protect Our Community", "Safety of Women and Children Before Foreigners" and "All Patriots Welcome".

They are often organised by people with little experience of street campaigning, including mothers with families and professional careers.

The BBC has identified far-right activists at some of the protests.

Meanwhile the anti-racism charity Stand Up To Racism described demonstrators outside a former hotel in Falkirk last weekend as "extremists".

At least one protester was seen performing a Nazi salute while another carried a banner that said "Kill 'Em All, Let God Sort 'Em Out".

An FOI request published on the Perth and Kinross Council website revealed that two hotels in the council area were used to house 191 asylum seekers as of 14 August.

However these were not named in order to prevent the hotels from being targeted.

Hotel accommodation for asylum seekers is managed by Mears Group on behalf of the Home Office, which meets the full costs of rooms, meals and financial allowances.