Five people have been arrested after masked men attempted to break into a hotel housing asylum seekers during a protest in west London.
Up to 500 protesters from two anti-asylum groups started marching to the Crowne Plaza hotel on Stockley Road near Heathrow airport at around 12pm today.
A group of masked protesters attempted to enter the hotel via the rear entrance, smashing through security hoardings.
Another group continued on towards the nearby Novotel on Cherry Lane as well as the Holiday Inn.
Cordons were put in place as three arrests were made, while two officers suffered minor injuries, Met Police said.
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Two more protesters were detained as police attempted to disperse the crowd.
A total of five arrests have now been made for assault on an officer, affray and violent disorder.
Officers have imposed a Section 35 disposal order to direct people to leave the area and not return if they suspect they may cause disorder.
Commander Adam Slonecki said: ‘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.
‘Around 500 protesters were in the area, but most people have now dispersed from the immediate vicinity. However, further arrests will be made if we need to tackle disorder.’
He added: ‘Local residents and businesses can expect to see our continued presence and patrols in the area.’
The protests come a day after Court of Appeal judges overturned an injunction blocking the Bell Hotel in Epping from housing asylum seekers, stating the original decision was ‘flawed’.
Hillingdon Council leader Ian Edwards said Friday’s decision was a ‘disappointment’.
He said yesterday: ‘Today’s judgement is a disappointment to all those seeking a speedy outcome where their communities are detrimentally impacted by the use of hotels as hostels for asylum housing.’
Cllr Edwards added that his council would continue to investigate the use of hotels to house asylum seekers and is pursuing the government.
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