Armed police descended on a migrant hotel in Bournemouth yesterday afternoon following an alleged machete attack.
At around 12.40pm on Thursday, Dorset Police received reports of a violent altercation in the seaside town.
One man was rushed to hospital after suffering head injuries from a bladed weapon following a brawl.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspect being taken out of the Home Office-run hotel before being hauled away in the back of a van.
The Bournemouth hotel has been closed to the public for several years since being taken over by the Government.
The surrounding area has subsequently seen a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour.
The south coast city is currently home to three hotels being used to house illegal migrants.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We received a report at 12.40pm today of a man in possession of a machete.
At around 12.40pm on Thursday, Dorset Police received calls about a violent altercation erupting in the seaside town
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“It is reported that during an altercation a man sustained an injury to his head.
“He has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing attempted grievous bodily harm.
“There will be an increased police presence in the area while enquiries are carried out to establish the full circumstances of what happened.”
Bournemouth is currently home to three hotels being used to house illegal migrants
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The arrest comes just weeks after it was revealed that the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels has surged by more than a third despite Labour’s pledge to end their use.
Taxpayers were spending an average of £199 per person per night on hotel accommodation as of April, according to figures revealed by the Home Office.
That marks a 37 per cent increase on the £144.98 figure previously provided by the department last October.
The latest bill amounts to £1,393 per week for each asylum seeker housed in a hotel.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspect being taken out of the Home Office-run hotel before being hauled away in the back of a van
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GETTYHome Office Minister Anna Turley said the increase was partly a consequence of the Government gradually shutting asylum hotels.
She told the Home Affairs Committee: “This figure has increased since the figures we last provided in October 2025, as hotel closures are being implemented in phases.
“As occupancy falls ahead of full site closure, the department continues to incur costs for some unoccupied rooms, which increases the average cost per person accommodated.”
Some 16,021 illegal migrants were being housed in asylum hotels at the end of June – down from 36,273 at the end of September last year.
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