Police Prepare for Protests Over Asylum Seeker Housing Amid Notting Hill Carnival

As the UK prepares for a busy bank holiday weekend, police are facing a fresh wave of protests over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers. On Friday, anti-migrant groups clashed with counterprotesters in Portsmouth city center, kicking off a series of nationwide demonstrations planned at 26 hotel sites this weekend.

The protests come as the Notting Hill Carnival is expected to draw 1 million revelers to the streets of west London. Police will also have to manage a string of Premier League football matches as the new season enters its second week. Despite the pressures, authorities insist they are well-prepared to handle any protest action.

Meanwhile, councils across the country are investigating whether they could pursue legal challenges against the use of hotels for asylum accommodation. This follows a recent High Court ruling that granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to prevent asylum seekers from being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, citing "unprecedented levels of protest and disruption" at the site.

The fresh wave of demonstrations has caused alarm among vulnerable refugees, who feel "hunted" and face "hate and intimidation on Britain's streets," according to refugee charities. As police work to maintain order, they must also contend with the ongoing strain on resources and resilience.