Arrests made following disorder at Reading hotel used to house asylum seekers
The Home Office confirmed two people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences
The Home Office has responded after a disturbance broke out at a hotel that is being used to house asylum seekers in Reading.
‘Disorder’ outside the former Ibis Styles hotel in Oxford Road was reported at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, April 1.
Witnesses saw a large group of men standing in the surface car park of the hotel, while the incident was handled by Thames Valley Police officers.
A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 19 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
The Home Office has been using hotels to house asylum seekers while their claims are processed since March 2020, under the previous Conservative government.
Men from Afghanistan, Iran and other countries are currently staying at the hotel.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and have been liaising with our accommodation provider to ensure the safety of everyone in our care.
“As this is a live police investigation, we won’t be commenting further.”