A Woolston Cllr. says he will continue to press the Home Office for action over young male asylum seekers being housed at the Holiday Inn following a recent Working Together meeting in the area.
Cheshire Police recently hosted a meeting in Woolston to discuss various concerns, including the housing of asylum seekers at the hotel and anti-social behaviour in the area.
A number of matters were discussed at the meeting and officers are now working closely with Warrington Borough Council, Woolston Parish Council and the local community to address the concerns.
Following the meeting, local cllr Rob Tynan said: “Since it was announced that Woolston would be housing asylum seekers under the Asylum Dispersal Scheme I have continually supported residents and worked with them to end the use of hotels in our area. While I know people are sympathetic to the plight of asylum seekers, they are worried that they have not been consulted on exactly who is being housed there.
“I am grateful to Superintendent Adam Ross for increasing the police presence across Woolston, especially around anti-social behaviour hotspots.
“Residents are rightly concerned, and I share their concerns, I hope that the increase in police visibility will help make residents feel safer.
“Cheshire Police have reiterated, and I echo their comments, if you are in an emergency, please call 999 or if you witness anti-social behaviour please call 101 even if it is a minor incident.
“I continue to press the Home Office for action over the housing of young male asylum seekers in our area given the burden on our local services. Small boat crossings are down, and the Government are taking action to secure our borders compared to Labour who not only have no plan to stop the boats, but they also has no desire to either. At every opportunity they do everything to stand in the way of action that would make a real difference – voting against our small boats legislation over 50 times.”
A spokesperson for Woolston Parish Council said: “The Parish Council welcomed the response from Cheshire Constabulary and Warrington BC in organising the Warrington Working Together event on 2 November.
“The open meeting for our community at the Church of Ascension allowed a frank and open discussion with residents and representatives of the Police and the Borough Council.
“Residents explained their concerns and were listened to respectfully. Explanations from the officers of actions already taken in supporting our community were reported.
“The Police and Borough Council will continue liaising with the parish council and further information is to be published, including through the local social media.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police added: “On Thursday 2 November officers from Cheshire Police hosted a meeting in Woolston to discuss concerns which were raised at a recent Working Together event in Warrington.
“A number of matters were discussed at the meeting and officers are working closely with Warrington Borough Council, Woolston Parish Council and the local community to address the concerns.”
2 Comments
It was stated at the meeting that1 The Council had not been consulted by Central Government that the migrants were coming to Woolston.So no preparation was possible 2No funds have been given by Central Government to the local Council to help with liaison meetings,health and policing issues.3 The police Inspector stated that crime figures in Woolston have not increased since the hotel was opened to migrants
I feel that is very important that we have a balanced report of the meeting and do not bring party politics into the scenario.I realise that this is a very sensitive issue as many of these people have come from tragic backgrounds with cultures different to ours.Let’s all hope that the issues can be resolved sensibly.
Unfortunately we cannot be sure that they have come from tragic backgrounds. It is always strange that these hotels are housed with young men. Most are economic migrants who came over illegally on boats. As far as i know this is the 4th hotel taken over to house these people, the 2nd of these just down the road in Woolston, how can that be fair to the locals. If the Daresbury Hotel is anything to go by, these people will be living there for the next few years, not processed and left to cause whatever mayhem they please. Don’t bother responding,this is my opinion and no one is gonna change it in a million years. Since Brexit we have had far more illegal immigration than ever before because the people at the top dont agree with the majority decision of the people in this country and try to thwart Brexit at ever turn.