London hotel housing migrants targeted in arson, suspect arrested

In London, a 64-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of setting fire to the Thistle City Barbican hotel, which houses asylum seekers.

The elderly suspect is currently in custody. Scotland Yard believes the arson was motivated by hatred toward the hotel residents, the London Police Service reported.

“We understand the ongoing concern among local residents. Our investigation is continuing at a rapid pace,” said Police Commander Hailey Stewart.

The hotel was set on fire on the evening of September 24. The blaze was extinguished by hotel staff before emergency services arrived. No one was injured, the police press office clarified.

Thistle City Barbican is under “exclusive use” by the UK government. The hotel accommodates refugees from various countries seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

The Times noted that some residents frequently disrupt public order: throwing televisions out of windows, setting fire to mattresses, and even throwing them onto the streets. Since refugees moved in, crime in the surrounding area has increased: over the past year, more than 40 migrants residing at the hotel have been charged with 90 offences, according to the newspaper.

Protests have begun gathering near the hotel. Some demonstrators demand that the migrants be evicted, while others take to the streets to defend refugees against racism. In August, the BBC reported that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the Ministry of the Interior is “ready to close all hotels for refugees,” but emphasised that this must occur “under proper control.”

By Tamilla Hasanova