POLICE have hit out at "outright racism" posted by social media users directed at asylum seekers living in Wyre Forest. 

West Mercia Police have responded to "disturbing, unfounded, and inaccurate reports" by members of the public regarding "guests in our community."

Last year, Wyre Forest District Council announced the Gainsborough Hotel in Kidderminster would be used by the Home Office to house asylum seekers. The Heath Hotel, previously run by Mercure, in Bewdley, is also used to house asylum seekers.

Officers from the Kidderminster Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) met with Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, the management of the two hotels, Serco, and volunteers this morning (Friday, February 24). 

Inspector Lisa Hornberger from Wyre Forest SNT said: "The discussion was very positive, and everyone was in agreement that the language, inference, and outright racism of some people's comments on local social media regarding guests in our community, are unacceptable and potentially criminal.

"However, I want to thank our wider community in Wyre Forest who have been wonderfully understanding of those who need our support and patience at what will be an extremely challenging time in their lives. Just like young men and women from Ukraine, some of those who are here are escaping violence, war and exploitation.

"They may have left families, careers and homes and they have been welcomed with open arms by so many people in Kidderminster and made to feel so welcome and valued as fellow human beings living through some horrendous times.

"The minority who have taken to social media who think that it is a safe space for xenophobic, racist comments, are incredibly wrong. Having the right to an opinion does not entitle you to accuse someone of a crime because they happen to look different, or with no evidence or understanding, accuse a man of being a sex offender because he is foreign. It isn't just wrong, it's a criminal offence."

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Sarah, who runs a local group called Wyre Forest Support Asylum Seekers, said: "We set up the group back in April 2022 to do what many other areas do, offer support and compassion.

"I am thrilled that we now have over 30 weekly volunteers and over 250 FB members who donate to the group. We clothe the guys when they arrive with nothing, we teach English, run football sessions, provide a few haircuts and anything else we can manage to organise.

"Several are now volunteering in the community, they are very keen to give back whilst awaiting permission to work. We have been made so very welcomed and treated with the utmost respect.

"We have a range of talented people, artists, civil engineers, teachers, farmers, truck drivers and shared many laughs over trying to get each other understood. 

"They only get £9 per week as an allowance so they cannot afford to buy much so winter coats were a challenge, but thanks to the generosity of our local community we were able to get a coat of some description for them all.

"Every volunteer who comes once is immediately sucked into the role and can't wait to come back, despite the sometimes sad stories we hear.

"They are currently very worried about the hatred being shown towards them, they have fled warzones and persecution and came to England to be safe and now fear that may not be the case.

"They always seem so confused by the anger, they do not understand what they have done.

"Our volunteers and the local Churches that many attend are all sources of comfort, providing some respite to their days of waiting to be processed."

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Mark Garnier MP said: "It was a genuine eye opener to visit the two asylum seeker hotels here in Wyre Forest.

"The residents are no different from any of us who seek stability and opportunity; and who want no more than to contribute to our community and the British way of life."