By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - Anti-immigrant protesters in west London attempted to enter hotels accommodating asylum seekers on Saturday.
Two groups staged demonstrations outside a Crowne Plaza hotel in West Drayton, prompting a heavy police response.
London Police have arrested five people during the protests outside the hotel on Stockley Road.
Around midday, protesters marched to the hotel, and a group of masked men attempted to enter via the rear entrance, damaging security barriers. Officers on site stopped them, according to a statement by the Metropolitan Police.
A breakaway group moved towards nearby hotels, leading to three arrests after police set up cordons to prevent disorder. Two officers sustained minor injuries, it said.
"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," it said.
Commander Adam Slonecki said: “We understand the 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. … Around 500 protesters were in the area, but most people have now dispersed.”
Police remain in the area, supported by a helicopter, to maintain order.
The incidents took place after the UK government won a legal challenge to overturn a temporary injunction that would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel.
Despite the Court of Appeal decision, at least 13 other councils are reported to be considering legal action over the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, according to The Times.
They include four Labour-run authorities: Wirral, Stevenage, Tamworth, and Rushmoor.
Further protests and counter-protests are scheduled across several towns and cities in England and Wales on Saturday, including Braintree, Luton, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Stockport, and Barry.