Five arrests at Stradey Park Hotel as tensions continue to rise on asylum seeker plans

Police and protestors are both blaming each other for escalating tensions at Stradey Park Hotel as controversial plans to house over 200 asylum seekers at the Llanelli venue continue.

A large police presence has been seen at the hotel in recent days.

Police say on Monday 14 August they received a report that criminal damage had been caused to a vehicle used by a contractor employed by the Hotel while he was driving away from the premises.  A man has since been arrested and charged with this offence.

They added that during the night of 15 August, a number of people trespassed onto the grounds of the Stradey Park Hotel and conducted themselves in an intimidating manner.

Five arrests have been made on Wednesday afternoon (16 August) in connection with further incidents at the Hotel and police say their enquiries are ongoing.

Dyfed Powys Police say their officers remain at the scene to “provide reassurance to residents and the community”.

Protestors and private security for hotel owners Sterling Woodrow and Home Office contractor Clearsprings Ready Homes have both been seen wearing balaclavas to hide their faces at the hotel.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Dyfed Powys Police said they are “concerned by the conduct of a number of people who have been wearing balaclavas in the area. 

“As a result, a Section 60AA order (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) has been put in place. This provides officers with the power to require a person to remove any item which the officer believes is being worn wholly or mainly for the purposes of concealing their identity.   

“The order applies to the area of Stradey Park Hotel, Pentrepoeth Road and the B4309 running through Furnace We will always seek to facilitate peaceful protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, keeping the public safe and preventing crime and disorder.

“Where an offence is committed, we will take all reasonable and proportionate steps to bring offenders to justice. 

“Dyfed-Powys Police would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have demonstrated peacefully over the past few weeks and urge anyone planning to join the protest to follow the example that has been set by local residents.”

(Lead image: Furnace Action Group / Rob Lloyd)