Tensions mount as Home Office move to house single male asylum seekers at the Park Hotel, in Diss, is revealed

Community leaders have warned of a summer of strife in Diss following the sudden decision by the Home Office to fill a town hotel with single male asylum seekers.

Protests have been staged in Diss – with demonstrators and counter demonstrators travelling from out of town to take part – following the sudden announcement on Friday over changes to the Park Hotel, which had housed families of asylum seekers since 2023.

More demonstrations are thought to be planned and police and politicians fear a prolonged period of unrest.

Local leaders say Diss is unsuited to single male asylum seekers because of its rural character, with few facilities to support those living there.

They have appealed for calm and urged the Home Office to reverse its decision, while Norfolk Constabulary says it will maintain a presence in the area.

A protest held on Monday evening outside the Denmark Street hotel was peaceful, with no arrests made. But footage from the event showed tensions threatening to boil over.

People wearing Union Jack caps and holding banners saying ‘stop the boats’ could be seen facing off with counter protestors, who held placards saying ‘refugees welcome’.

Daniel Elmer, the Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council, said: “This could all go away if the Home Office reverses this unnecessary decision. The site has been used to house families for two years, why change it?”

Significant numbers of protestors on both sides are understood to have travelled to Diss from outside, with Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsey attacking ‘out-of-towners’ for creating ‘fear and division’.

Mr Ramsay said: “What happened in Diss on Monday night was wrong. Groups from outside our community came here to create fear and division. That is not who we are. Diss is a town rooted in compassion and decency.

“We have a long and proud history of offering sanctuary to those fleeing persecution.”

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Constabulary said officers would ‘monitor the situation’.