Overview

• The Home Office still occupies The Chine, Roundhouse and Britannia hotels, providing more than 300 rooms to asylum seekers just yards from Bournemouth’s seafront.
• Safeguard Force, a 200-strong volunteer group, will begin patrols next week to tackle violence and anti-social behaviour without formal endorsement from Dorset Police.
• Holidaymakers and residents have voiced safety concerns and frustration over paying premium rates while asylum seekers stay free within sight of popular beaches.
• The Destination Management Board emphasized that only three of over 450 local hotels house asylum seekers, assuring strong bed availability and a £1.3 billion tourism industry.
• A government spokesperson said asylum hotel use has fallen from more than 400 to under 210 and vowed to close all remaining contracts before this Parliament ends.