'Be careful on the A5' - Locals warn after protestors spotted outside Cannock hotel
Cannock locals have warned commuters to 'be careful' on the A5 as protestors have gathered outside a hotel in the area.
A video, which was sent to the Express & Star, shows groups of people - some donning St. George's Cross flags - gathering outside near The Roman Way Hotel this afternoon.
Staffordshire officers and vehicles were also seen at the scene, along with counter protestors from Stand Up To Racism.
Locals have since taken to Facebook groups warning others to 'be careful' due to an ongoing protest in the area. One user said: "Please be careful going up the A5 towards Cannock. They are protesting outside the Roman way hotel. Massive police presence and a lot of people congregating by McDonald’s at long Ford island."
It follows social media posts about 'The Great British National Protest' which is a protest against the use of a hotel to accommodate asylum seekers.
These protests are currently taking place across the UK. PA has reported that rival groups of protesters separated by police in some areas - including those occurring in Islington, north London.
Stand Up to Racism for the Black Country and South Staffordshire said in a post on Facebook: "One year on from the racist riots in Tamworth and Stoke, we won’t let Cannock be next.
"In 2023, growing mobilisations of local anti-racists pushed the fascists out of town. Now, local racists are once again trying to stir up hate, calling protests directly outside where refugees live, opening the door for the far right to crawl back in. We say: never again."
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We attended the planned peaceful protest activity that took place on Watling Road, Cannock, on Saturday afternoon (2 August), as a precautionary measure.
"We engaged with protest groups and our partners to monitor key locations, reassure local residents and offered guidance and support to those who needed us. No arrests were been made."
