Public Discontent Grows Over Migrant Crisis as Former Police Chief Urges Radical Action

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A former policing chief has warned that rising public frustration over illegal migration in Britain may reach a breaking point unless firm and immediate action is taken. Kevin Hurley, former Head of Public Order, made the remarks during an interview with GB News, following a wave of public protests outside migrant accommodation sites, including a recent demonstration in Epping.

Hurley stated that there is growing resentment across the country, not toward legal migration, but specifically towards those entering the United Kingdom without documentation — an act that constitutes a criminal offence under UK law. He described the response to the crisis as insufficient and cautioned that the consequences of inaction may be politically damaging.

“There is a growing build-up of resentment in the public about uncontrolled illegal migration,” Hurley said. “Particularly with these hotels and these essentially young men being placed in villages where they have different cultural values and ideas — people do not like it.”

Recent protests have highlighted tensions in communities where hotels are being used to accommodate individuals who arrived illegally via the English Channel. Hurley warned that unless a new approach is taken, dissatisfaction will continue to intensify.

Critiquing the police response to these protests, Hurley said that current mobilisation procedures are still inadequate. Drawing comparisons with the 2011 riots, he noted that the police remain underprepared to respond swiftly and effectively to local unrest. “They are in a worse position than they were in 2011, because fewer officers now want to do that kind of work,” he added.

However, Hurley was clear that the nature of the protests differs from previous disturbances. “This is a different type of protest,” he explained. “These are ordinary people who live in the area. Yes, there are some agitators from various groups, but these are not the same as the looters and opportunists of 2011.”

Calling for a fundamental shift in policy, Hurley urged the government to adopt a tougher stance in order to reduce the appeal of coming to Britain illegally. He cited Australia’s and the United States’ former approaches as potential models — involving the use of detention centres rather than hotels or shared housing.

“If people are put in secure accommodation, where they receive food, shelter, and medical care but cannot walk freely and showcase a better lifestyle, then the incentive to come here illegally will diminish,” he said.

Hurley concluded that unless a radical change is implemented, the issue will persist. The protests, he warned, are a symptom of wider public concern that shows no sign of easing.