DYFED-POWYS POLICE spent over £1 million in response to protests at Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, which was designated to accommodate over 200 asylum seekers.

The revelation came following a Freedom of Information request by BBC Wales.

The protests, which began in early July last year, escalated to the point where fires were set near the site, leading to approximately 40 arrests between mid-August and early October. The Home Office later cancelled the contentious plans to use the hotel for asylum seekers in October.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn disclosed that the situation not only incurred substantial financial costs for the force but also strained its relationship with the local community. Mr. Llywelyn had urged the Home Office to reverse the plans as “a matter of urgency”.

The hotel was initially selected to house up to 241 people under UK government plans aimed at reducing asylum costs. However, the proposal faced significant opposition due to concerns about suitability and lack of information, as expressed by local residents, authorities, and politicians.

Following the announcement, protests intensified outside the hotel, with demonstrators setting up a base near the site. Labour councillor Martyn Palfreman described the episode as an unforeseen and tense period in the area’s history, marked by anxiety and intense community reaction.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Superintendent Ross Evans, commenting on the situation in October, condemned the extreme behaviour displayed by some protesters, which he deemed exceeded the bounds of lawful protest.

Originally, Mr. Llywelyn had sought a £300,000 reimbursement for the policing costs of the protest. However, the final figure, exceeding £1.165 million, is threefold higher than anticipated. Mr. Llywelyn expressed his lack of surprise at this figure, attributing it to operational and organisational pressures, including Operation Cambrian, which was specifically established in response to the Stradey Park Hotel protests.

Throughout the protests, Mr. Llywelyn consistently communicated with the Home Secretary, voicing concerns about the escalating tensions and urging a re-evaluation of the hotel’s use.

Dame Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli, criticised the entire undertaking, labeling the plans a complete disaster brought about by incompetence and disregard for local sentiments. She condemned the excessive police expenditure on the protests, arguing that these funds would have been better allocated to enhancing frontline policing and community safety.

Former racial equality commissioner Aled Edwards emphasised the importance of learning from this episode, praising the integrity of the police force in handling the situation. He also highlighted the success of other refugee schemes in Wales, such as those for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.

A Home Office spokesperson responded by highlighting ongoing efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels, a measure currently costing UK taxpayers £8.2 million a day. They assured that the government is committed to equipping the police with necessary resources, confirming a total police funding settlement of up to £18.4 billion for 2024-25, including £148.0 million for Dyfed-Powys Police. The spokesperson added that the allocation of funding and resources remains under the jurisdiction of individual police and crime commissioners.