Hundreds of protestors and counter-protestors face-off in Swindon town centre with heavy police presence

By Jamie Hill - 30 August 2025

Community
  • Protesters against the housing of asylum seekers at a Swindon hotel

    Protesters against the housing of asylum seekers at a Swindon hotel

A protest organised outside a town centre hotel against asylum seekers concluded peacefully.

Protesters against the housing of asylum seekers at a Swindon hotel
From about 11am today far right protesters gathered outside the Thistle Express Hotel on Fleming Way.
The protest was organised against The Government's policy of housing asylum seekers in a Swindon hotel.
Facing off against them were anti-fascist protesters with both sides, which had about 100 people each, chanting slogans at each other.
The protest occurred despite Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins calling for protesters to gather outside of Euclid Street instead as the hotel contained vulnerable families.
A proportionate policing response was put in place to ensure those who wanted to could express their right to protest, while ensuring there was no crime or violent disorder.
Superintendent Mark Lynch said: “We are pleased to say that today’s protest and counter protest has passed peacefully, with no arrests.
“People were able to make their voices heard in a safe and lawful way and we put a proportionate policing response in place to ensure the safety of all.”

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