- Angry villagers want 70 asylum-seekers staying in a Wigan hotel evicted
- People from Somalia, Syria and Iraq have been staying there since July
- Waiting to have applications processed but locals growing tired of delays
- Upset locals have set up Facebook petition with more than 2,000 members
Angry villagers are campaigning to evict some 70 asylum-seekers from a hotel after becoming fed up with a constant stream of arrivals since July.
Hundreds of people from Somalia, Syria and Iraq have been brought to the Britannia Hotel in Standish, near Wigan, over the past four months, waiting for government officials to process their applications.
But it appears locals have grown tired of the delays after creating a Facebook group titled 'No More Economic Migrants in Britannia Hotel'. It has more than 2,000 members.
Complaints: Angry villagers are campaigning to evict some 70 asylum-seekers from a hotel after becoming fed up with a constant stream of arrivals over the past four months
Temporary home: Asylum-seekers from Somalia, Syria and Iraq have been at the Britannia Hotel (pictured) in Standish, near Wigan, since July while waiting for government officials to process their asylum applications
Some of the group's members claim that petty crime and theft has increased in the area since the asylum-seekers' arrival, an accusation that has been dismissed by police.
Residents have also set up an online petition demanding that the Home Office move the asylum-seekers, who have been staying in a separate section of the hotel to other paying guests.
The hotel, where rooms can cost up to £100 a night, has a billiards room, cocktail bar, health club with an indoor heated pool, hot tub and a fitness centre.
The Facebook group's founder, Ian Adamczyk, 35, said: 'There are generations who have used their time to make this village safe and secure for their children and grandchildren yet no one in authority has consulted them as to what is going to happen or how they feel about this situation.
'If people are genuinely fleeing their countries with their family and children, Britain would hold its hands out to them - but there seems to be too many people exploiting our country and just coming here for a better life. Nearly all the people in the hotel are young men.
'I think there are people in this country that need the help more or at least just as much. We are never going to be able to help every poor person in the whole world.'
On Thursday, in the space of two hours, three minibuses dropped off dozens of men at the back entrance to the hotel.
The Facebook group's founder, Ian Adamczyk, 35, said: 'There are generations who have used their time to make this village safe and secure for their children and grandchildren yet no one in authority has consulted them as to what is going to happen or how they feel about this situation.
'If people are genuinely fleeing their countries with their family and children, Britain would hold its hands out to them - but there seems to be too many people exploiting our country and just coming here for a better life. Nearly all the people in the hotel are young men.
'I think there are people in this country that need the help more or at least just as much. We are never going to be able to help every poor person in the whole world.'
On Thursday, in the space of two hours, three minibuses dropped off dozens of men at the back entrance to the hotel.
Unhappy: But it appears locals have grown tired of the delays after creating a Facebook group titled 'No More Economic Migrants in Britannia Hotel'. It has more than 2,000 members (pictured)
Calls for action: Residents have also set up an online petition demanding that the Home Office move the asylum-seekers, who have been staying in a separate section of the hotel to other paying guests
Explanation: The asylum-seekers have been placed in the hotel by security firm Serco, which operates the contract to house those seeking accommodation until more permanent places become available
When approached for a comment, the majority of the men could not speak English, but one woman confirmed she was staying with her husband and young child and the nationalities of residents were 'Iranian, Syrian, Pakistani and Iraqi.'
Retired industrial engineer David Lowton, 71, who lives next to the hotel, said: 'I object to them being there. They are in the rooms at the back with their windows constantly open overlooking my house. I imagine some of the older residents don't feel safe as most of the asylum seekers are young lads.
'It annoys me that they are here at taxpayers' expense. They have the windows wide open all of the time and they must have the heating on too - I can't afford to have the heating on all day.
'There used to be two or three coach loads of holidaymakers visiting the hotel each week but you wouldn't see them now.'
Joseph Murphy, 64, who also lives nearby, added: 'There is a lot of resentment from a lot of people in Standish who think they aren't a part of the community, they don't speak our language and they don't integrate.
'They have got to go somewhere but no one understands why it is one hotel in one area.
'They should use this for a few months then use another.
When it seems the government are making cuts everywhere it doesn't seem right that they are living for free in a hotel.'
The asylum-seekers have been placed in the hotel by security firm Serco, which operates the contract to house those seeking accommodation in the North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland until more permanent places become available.
Serco is having to foot the bill for the hotel rooms out of the money paid to it by Whitehall. It insists there is no extra cost to the taxpayer in putting the asylum-seekers up there.
On Thursday, in the space of two hours, three minibuses (pictured) dropped off dozens of men at the back entrance to the hotel. A woman there confirmed she was staying with her husband and their young child
Moved on: Serco insists that no asylum-seeker temporarily housed at the hotel (pictured) remained for longer than three weeks, making clear that individuals were there as a 'last resort' and moved on when possible
Benefits: The hotel, where rooms can cost up to £100 a night, has a billiards room, cocktail bar, health club with an indoor heated pool, hot tub and a fitness centre. But Serco says there is no extra cost to the taxpayer
Serco insisted that no asylum-seeker temporarily housed at the hotel remained for longer than three weeks, making clear that individuals were there as a 'last resort' and moved on when possible.
Jenni Halliday, Serco’s contract director for compass, said: 'We are currently using budget hotels on a short term basis to house a number of asylum seekers until we can find alternative accommodation for them.
'We move them out of the hotels into other accommodation as quickly as possible. The use of hotels does not cost the taxpayer anything extra. Our priority is at all times to make sure that they are safe and secure and are treated with dignity and respect.'
A spokesman was unable to say how long the hotel would be used to house asylum-seekers or whether an alternative one would be used instead in the future.
Wigan Council's assistant director for housing, Peter Layland, said the authority would seek talks with Serco and the Home Office over the situation but stressed that it was 'willing to play our part in supporting those seeking a safe haven.'
We are willing to play our part in supporting those in need who are seeking a safe haven
Wigan Council's assistant director for housing, Peter Layland
He added: 'Wigan Council has no control over the use of hotels or numbers. Nor does the council provide any financial assistance to the housing of asylum seekers.
'The council is concerned at the use of hotels to house asylum seekers and has raised those concerns previously with Serco and the Home Office.
'We will again be seeking further discussions with Serco and the Home Office to make clear our concern and to press for a date when it will end.
'We will also press for further discussions on this matter at a Greater Manchester level.
'It is important that Wigan borough, like all areas of the country, should play a fair and balanced role in resettling asylum seekers/refugees within the community and in liaison with other councils in the area.
'A humanitarian crisis is taking place and we are an open and friendly borough, as our appeal for donations to refugees earlier in the year proved.
'We are willing to play our part in supporting those in need who are seeking a safe haven.'
Wigan Labour MP Lisa Nandy told her local newspaper: 'I've written to both Serco and the Home Secretary about the situation at the Britannia Hotel.
'Serco have yet to respond and the initial response from the Home Office was unsatisfactory. I have been in touch with residents to keep them updated and to let them know I will contact them again as soon as I receive a response.'
Police sergeant Alan Potts said: 'There has been no increase in crime that we are aware of at the moment but if anyone wants to report any incidents they can do so and we will investigate anything thoroughly.'
Staff at the Britannia Hotel declined to comment.
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