What life is really like for residents living close to Lancashire's asylum hotels after Merseyside riots incite fear
On a cold and previously quiet night in Knowsley, flames, protestors, missiles and riot vans generated shock, anger and fear both locally and nationwide.
A quick look on social media will highlight the most vocal opponents, from politicians to media commentators and beyond. Phrases such as “lock up your wives and daughters”, “invasion” and “swarms” offer unpleasant but frequently seen undertones of distrust and hatred. This is a common theme which comes up on the streets of Blackpool, with more than one resident telling LancsLive: “We should look after our own first”. The employee said there were issues over allegations of theft early on but that had long settled down. Instead, the bigger problem is the loss of trade from holiday makers who would normally stay at the hotel.
Over in Chorley, the Plaza Hotel was closed at very short notice in November for the same purpose. It is now back open to the public. A similar situation remains in place at the Preston Leyland Hotel however, where weddings and other events had to be cancelled due to the change of use. For Cllr Forrest, one point which is missed is the unsuitability of hotel accommodation as long term residence. He added: "I think the refugee system is bananas. Having all these people stuck, they can't work and we're short of labour. People that could be doing those jobs are stuck in hotels."
Fearing persecution for his conversion to Christianity, he made a death-escaping journey across seas and rivers - a trip which not all survived and during which he witnessed horrifying violence by traffickers.
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