Steve demands action over Queen’s Hotel

Steve Reed MP has demanded a meeting with Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire MP, after more than 600 asylum seekers were placed in the Queen’s Hotel, Crystal Palace.  Many local residents have contacted the Croydon North MP to complain about anti-social behaviour and noise coming from the hotel.  It emerged that the Home Office started using the hotel as a hostel for hundreds of asylum seekers but failed to consult local representatives or the local community.

Croydon Council enforcement officers visited the hotel and found that one building designed to accommodate 68 people was housing 100 people, while the main hotel was packed with around 500 people many of whom were sleeping more than 4 to a room.

A copy of Mr Reed’s letter to Mr Brokenshire can be found  here

Commenting about the situation, Steve said:

“I am furious that the Home Office didn’t consult either the local community or elected representative about plans to house over 600 asylum seekers in the area.  The hotel is on the edge of our small but thriving shopping centre in a highly residential area.  It seems highly inappropriate to place so many asylum seekers in an area like this without warning or preparation.

I have written to the Immigration Minister to demand an urgent meeting to discuss local residents’ concerns. I am worried about the safety of the people living in the hotel, the sudden conversion of the hotel into a B&B hostel without consultation, and the impact of an extra 600 people suddenly arriving in the neighbourhood.”