Police are at the scene of protests in west London this afternoon, Saturday, 30 August, and have made five arrests related to disorder.
A policing plan was in place for the area due to protests we knew were due to take place outside the Crowne Plaza hotel in Stockley Road, UB7.
At around 12:00hrs, two anti-asylum groups marched to the Crowne Plaza.
A group of masked men attempted to enter the hotel via the rear entrance, damaging the security hoarding. Officers were already in attendance and extra officers were deployed to assist.
A breakaway protest group moved towards the nearby Novotel on Cherry Lane where officers were also positioned before some of the crowd moved towards the Holiday Inn. Officers enforced cordons in the area to prevent a breach of the peace and three arrests were made. Two officers suffered minor injuries.
A Section 35 dispersal order was put in place which allows officers to direct people to leave the area and not return if they suspect they may cause disorder.
Two more arrests were made as officers dispersed the crowd.
Commander Adam Slonecki, in charge of policing London this weekend, said: “We have prepared with additional resources to police protests at migrant hotels over the last few weeks and this weekend is no exception.
“We understand strength of feeling on these issues, but where peaceful protest crosses the line into criminality, including injuries to our officers, we will take immediate action.
“We deployed additional officers to the area and five arrests have been made for offences including assault on a police officer, affray and violent disorder.
“Local residents and businesses can expect to see our continued presence and patrols in the area.” | Metropolitan Police
