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Hundreds of people took to the streets of a Norfolk town after migrants were moved to the area from taxpayer-funded hotels over the weekend. Demonstrators gathered in central Watton on Sunday, May 17, to oppose plans to move asylum seekers from the Brook Hotel in Bowthorpe into the East Anglian market town.

Around 200 people took part in the peaceful protest after migrants were bussed to houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Watton last week. Organiser Lee Watson said: "I didn't want people coming here and waving Union flags - at that point, the argument is lost."

He told the Watton and Swaffham Times: "I wanted more of a discussion, for people to be able to voice their concerns. We've had all sorts of people here - from 14 up to people in their seventies. I think it's gone very well." Attendees said they believed the migrants pose a "danger" to the community, with some expressing fear of leaving their homes.

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Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland Council, which has warned the Government against housing migrants in the town, said he was "deeply disappointed" the message had been ignored.

Ministers have pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the next election, with some people already moved into sites including disused army barracks.

The number of people being housed in hotels stood at 30,657 at the end of 2025, down 15% on September but still above the record low of 29,561 just before the 2024 general election.

The number of migrants in "dispersal accommodation" also rose by almost 3,000 over 2025, including privately managed houses, flats or rooms in HMOs - an option that is only available to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.

The Government confirmed that the Brook Hotel, which had been housing migrants since 2022, was no longer in use last week following numerous demonstrations at the site last year.

Norfolk Police began using powers to curb gatherings outside the hotel after complaints that occupants were being harassed, with the protests resulting in multiple arrests.

A Home Office spokesperson told the BBC it was focused on "removing the incentives drawing illegal migrants to Britain".

They added: "The population in asylum hotels has fallen by nearly 20% in the last year ans by 45% since the peak under the previous Government - helping reduce asylum support costs by nearly £1billion."