‘Hotels for illegals’ fury sparks street clashes in UK (VIDEOS)

Public discontent over the government’s handling of the migrant influx has come to a head, as fresh statistics have revealed record numbers

Competing groups of protesters have faced off in several cities across the UK over the government’s handling of an ongoing migrant influx, with violent clashes and arrests reported. The rallies have focused on the controversial practice of housing asylum applicants in hotels in residential areas.

Over the weekend, critics of the British government’s migrant policies staged demonstrations under the banner ‘Abolish Asylum System’ in Bristol, Liverpool, London, Mold, Perth, and County Antrim. The protests were preceded by a landmark High Court ruling that allowed local authorities in Essex to shut down one such accommodation facility that was at the center of a sexual assault case.

Counterprotests organized by the group ‘Stand Up to Racism’ also took to the streets to stand up to what they termed “fascists.” Police were out in force to separate the opposing groups.

While most of the rallies passed without incident, scuffles were reported in some areas. Avon and Somerset Police said that a 37-year-old had been detained at Bristol’s Castle Park on Saturday for allegedly assaulting an emergency worker.

Brave peaceful patriots marching through Bristol. I'm at the back of the protest at this point.

This was about the 4-5th time the far-left clashed with police on the march. They were desperate to get to us.

Bristol is cooked. pic.twitter.com/uwmBOcqfd6— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) August 23, 2025

In Liverpool, police arrested 11 people for various offenses.

The protests came days after the High Court allowed the Epping Forest District Council to close the Bell Hotel, which had been housing asylum seekers in Essex. The site drew public attention after one of its migrant residents was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Two tier policing in action today. This time Liverpool. Antifa members attack Englishman. He fights back but gets arrested. Notice the man with gray hair who punched him from behind is moved by police but they let him go. Leftists immune to arrest. Why is this @MerseyPolice pic.twitter.com/K7xmXjCH5U— Jake (@Anglojake) August 24, 2025

According to recent statistics published by the Home Office, there is a backlog of 106,000 asylum cases with an average wait time of 53 weeks. A record 111,084 people applied for asylum in the year to June 2025, including more than 27,000 who arrived illegally.

The Reform UK party has harshly criticized the British government for “wasting billions on hotels for illegal migrants,” pointing out that homeless Britons and other vulnerable categories are not receiving the same level of support from the authorities.

READ MORE: English flags hoisted across UK as tensions over migration rise (VIDEOS)

Earlier this month, the right-wing party launched a petition to “close the migrant hotels now.”

Reform UK made significant gains in May’s local elections in England, winning more than 670 seats and taking control of ten of 23 contested councils.