Five people were arrested after masked men attempted to force their way into a hotel housing asylum seekers in West Drayton on Saturday afternoon, as anti-immigration demonstrations targeted three separate migrant hotels near Heathrow Airport.
Metropolitan Police confirmed that a group of masked men tried to enter the Crowne Plaza hotel via a rear entrance, damaging security hoarding in the process, before officers already stationed at the scene called for reinforcements to prevent a breach.
The violent confrontation marked an escalation in protests that began peacefully at noon when two anti-asylum groups marched to the Crowne Plaza, before breakaway demonstrators moved on to target the nearby Novotel on Cherry Lane and the Holiday Inn.
A group of masked men attempted to enter the hotel via the rear entrance, damaging the security hoarding,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said. “Officers were already in attendance and extra officers were deployed to assist.”
The arrests came as tensions over asylum seeker accommodation continue to mount across Britain, with the government housing approximately 32,345 asylum seekers in hotels nationwide at an estimated cost of billions of pounds annually.
Police enforced cordons across the West Drayton area to prevent further breaches of the peace, making three initial arrests before two additional protesters were detained as officers worked to disperse the crowds. Two police officers suffered minor injuries during the confrontations.
A Section 35 dispersal order was implemented, granting police powers to direct individuals to leave the area immediately and not return if they were suspected of potentially causing disorder. Two more arrests were made as officers dispersed the crowd,” the Metropolitan Police statement confirmed.
The West Drayton incidents form part of a wider pattern of demonstrations targeting hotels housing asylum seekers across the UK, which have intensified following a High Court ruling earlier this week that ordered the removal of asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
That ruling followed weeks of protests after a 38-year-old asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, allegations he denies. The court’s decision has prompted at least 13 councils nationwide to consider similar legal challenges against asylum hotels in their areas.
Saturday’s demonstrations saw protesters waving Union flags and chanting slogans including “Stop the boats” – a reference to migrants crossing the English Channel in small vessels. Counter-protesters from anti-racism groups also attended, leading to confrontations that required significant police intervention.
The targeting of multiple hotels in a single afternoon represents a coordinated escalation in anti-immigration activism. The Crowne Plaza, Novotel, and Holiday Inn in West Drayton are among numerous hotels across Greater London being used to accommodate asylum seekers whilst their claims are processed.
Home Office data released this week showed that asylum applications reached a record 111,084 in the year to June 2025, though fewer than a third are housed in hotels. The number represents an 8 per cent increase from the previous year, despite being well below the September 2023 peak of 56,000.
Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis defended the government’s position on Friday, stating: “We’ve made a commitment that we will close all of the asylum hotels by the end of this parliament in 2029, but we need to do that in a managed and orderly way.”
The use of hotels as temporary accommodation has become increasingly controversial, with critics arguing it places undue strain on local communities and represents poor value for taxpayers. The government maintains it is a temporary measure necessitated by unprecedented numbers of asylum applications.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Tory-controlled councils to pursue legal challenges similar to Epping Forest District Council’s successful injunction, whilst Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for mass deportations and withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights.
The protests in West Drayton follow similar demonstrations across the UK in recent weeks, including violent confrontations in Bristol, Liverpool, and Newcastle. In some instances, far-right groups have clashed with anti-racism campaigners, requiring substantial police resources to maintain order.
Transport for London confirmed that the hotels targeted are all within close proximity to Heathrow Airport, with West Drayton serving as a key location for temporary asylum accommodation due to its transport links and available hotel capacity.
Local residents have expressed mixed views on the situation, with some supporting the protesters’ concerns about community safety whilst others condemn the violence and intimidation tactics employed by masked demonstrators.
The Metropolitan Police emphasised their commitment to facilitating lawful protest whilst preventing criminal behaviour. “We will always facilitate lawful protest – but we will not tolerate criminal behaviour,” a spokesperson stated.
As investigations continue into Saturday’s arrests, authorities are bracing for further demonstrations planned across multiple UK cities in coming weeks, with both anti-immigration groups and counter-protesters mobilising through social media platforms.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing the government as it attempts to balance its legal obligations to house asylum seekers with mounting public concern over immigration levels and the use of taxpayer-funded hotel accommodation.
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