Recent violent protests outside an asylum seeker hotel in Epping have sparked serious concerns regarding the safety and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, prompting calls for enhanced protection and a fundamental re-evaluation of current housing policies.

These demonstrations escalated significantly, leading to injuries among police officers and members of the public, highlighting the volatile nature of the situation and the urgent need for effective security measures. One incident involved a 23-year-old woman, Clare Keeble, who reported being hit by a thrown rock while leaving the protest, underscoring the potential dangers for individuals in the vicinity.

A prominent refugee charity emphasizes that the principle of “the full force of the law” should apply strictly to proven criminals, not indiscriminately to individuals merely seeking asylum. This distinction is crucial, advocating for due process and caution against broad criminalization of an entire vulnerable population.

Kolbassia Haoussou, a torture survivor and refugee who found sanctuary in the UK two decades ago, shared his profound fear during these turbulent times. He recounted how the unrest prevented some asylum seekers from leaving their accommodation, causing them to miss vital appointments such as GP visits and therapy sessions, and even preventing children from attending school due to safety fears.

Haoussou eloquently articulated the vulnerability of asylum seekers, stating they are not the cause of societal issues, nor are they “taking people’s food, taking people’s job, taking people’s houses.” He stressed that questions about economic and societal challenges should be directed towards those in authority, particularly in Westminster, challenging pervasive misinformation.

Colette Batten-Turner, CEO of Conversation Over Borders, condemned the hotel housing system as a “tinderbox,” arguing that it isolates asylum seekers and exposes them to racist violence. Her charity is appalled by the government’s failure to learn from past incidents and enact meaningful change, advocating for the abandonment of private hotel contracts.

The charity urges ministers to adopt more cost-effective and safer community-based housing models, drawing parallels with successful initiatives like the Homes for Ukraine scheme. This call, supported by 62 local and national organizations, highlights a widespread desire to move away from the current system, which is described by some trauma survivors as “prisons.”

While ministers have pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the next election, and are currently piloting alternative accommodation methods, advocates insist on immediate action. The ongoing debates surrounding asylum policy and refugee welfare underscore a critical national dialogue on humanitarian responsibility and social integration.