The British government is facing challenges in processing applications for refuge amidst increasing public dissatisfaction
Demonstrations and counter-demonstrations concerning Britain’s asylum system took place across the country over the weekend, with reports of unrest and arrests in several cities.
The anti-immigration movement, emboldened by a recent High Court judgment and newly published government statistics, organized rallies under the banner ‘Abolish Asylum System’ in Bristol, Liverpool, London, Mold, Perth, and County Antrim.
Counter-protests organized by the group ‘Stand Up to Racism’ also mobilized, with some participants referring to their opponents as “fascists.” Police were deployed to keep the groups apart.
While most gatherings remained peaceful, some minor altercations were reported. Avon and Somerset Police stated that a 37-year-old woman was arrested at Bristol’s Castle Park on Saturday for allegedly assaulting an emergency services worker.
Brave peaceful patriots marching through Bristol. I’m at the back of the protest at this point.
This was about the 4-5th time the far-left clashed with police on the march. They were desperate to get to us.
Bristol is cooked.
— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz)
In Liverpool, police apprehended 11 individuals for various offenses. Authorities also instructed anti-asylum marchers to abandon their planned procession and instead gather outside St. George’s Hall to minimize disruption.
Two tier policing in action today. This time Liverpool. Antifa members attack Englishman. He fights back but gets arrested. Notice the man with gray hair who punched him from behind is moved by police but they let him go. Leftists immune to arrest. Why is this
— Jake (@Anglojake)
The protests occurred days after the High Court permitted the Epping Forest District Council to close the Bell Hotel, which had been housing asylum seekers in Essex. The location drew demonstrations after a resident was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
© Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
Under British legislation, the government is obligated to provide shelter to individuals seeking asylum while their cases are being processed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the court’s decision, stating that closures should take place in a “properly managed way,” even as the government aims to discontinue the use of hotels for asylum purposes.
According to the Home Office, there is a backlog of 106,000 asylum cases with an average waiting period of 53 weeks. A record 111,084 people applied for asylum in the year leading up to June 2025, including more than 27,000 who entered the country unlawfully.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, described the situation as “a massive crisis,” telling The Times: “There is only one way to stop people coming into Britain and that is to detain them and deport them.”
Reform UK made considerable gains in May’s English local elections, securing over 670 seats and taking control of ten of the 23 contested councils.