The Home Office has recorded 70 racist incidents by far-right supporters against asylum seekers in barracks and hotel accommodation, according to a freedom of information response obtained by the Guardian. However, campaigners supporting asylum seekers in such accommodation say the figure is a significant underestimation of the true picture. Hotels have been used throughout the period but their use for asylum seekers increased sharply after the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020. In Napier barracks, four incidents were recorded between September and December 2020 – with 12 occurring so far this year. The number of incidents recorded in hotels has tripled this year, with 40 examples reported, up from 13 last year.

Source: The Guardian August 08, 2021 13:30 UTC