Anti-Migrant Protests Spread Across UK Hotels, Clashes Injure Police

Violent clashes have erupted in multiple UK towns, including Norfolk and Epping, over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, following the arrest of an asylum seeker accused of sexual assault. Protests that began peacefully escalated into riots with bottles, rocks, eggs, and smoke bombs being thrown at police, who made several arrests for violent disorder. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "send them home" and "stop the boats," while counter-protesters rallied with messages welcoming refugees, leading to confrontations between the groups. Police and government officials, including Policing Minister Diana Johnson, condemned the violence as criminal thuggery, emphasizing that such disorder would not be tolerated. The unrest echoes last summer's anti-immigration riots triggered by unrelated violent crimes, highlighting ongoing tensions around immigration policy and government housing decisions for asylum seekers. Local authorities and MPs have expressed concerns about the suitability of certain hotels for asylum accommodations amid rising public discontent.