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Potential protest in Dudley Town Centre this weekend and misinformation

  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read
You may have seen current media speculation around the potential for a protest on Sunday 17 August 2025. Current information tells us that this event may occur in the Market Place, Dudley Town Centre. 

 

Dudley Council can reassure you that we are aware of the issue and that the council is working closely with West Midlands Police and other groups to co-ordinate and provide support to ensure that if a protest goes ahead that it does so peacefully.

 

Details are changing on a regular basis so it is difficult to include specific information. Any further updates will be shared on our social media channels, listed below.

 

The council, police, and partners are working together to ensure everyone’s safety this weekend.

 

Reassuring residents and safety information

As a borough, we are proud of our diverse communities and everyone has the right to live free from intimidation. Peaceful, lawful protest is part of our democracy, but criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to work hard to bring Dudley together.

 

Dudley Council can reassure you that along with police and partners, we are fully committed to maintaining positive relations among all of our communities and by working together and sharing accurate information, we can help keep Dudley Borough a safe place for everyone.

 

 

Here are the facts

  • There are currently less than 90 individuals who are seeking asylum, all of whom have children, living in hotel accommodation in Dudley Borough.
 
  • They are all families, housed in accommodation arranged by the Home Office through Serco.
 
  • Across the West Midlands there are several thousand asylum seekers in hotels. Dudley’s share is less than 2% of that total.
 
  • Other hotels in Dudley shown in online videos are not housing asylum seekers. Some are being used to help homeless families.

 

The council is concerned that false reports are fuelling division. The borough has seen a significant rise in reports about community tensions, up from 42 in 2023 to 198 last year, so before sharing anything online, take a moment to check the facts.

 

Passing on misinformation can unintentionally cause worry and harm the sense of trust in our community.

 

The following trusted websites, links and information below provide accurate and up-to-date guidance:

 

 

 

 

 

Protecting your business premises

The vast majority of events, demonstrations and protests are peaceful and without incident. The following steps can help protect your business premises:

 

  • Minimise the number of entry/exit points. This limits the number of people that are able to enter, and staff/security can make the decision to close the doors in the event that tensions rise.


  • Assess windows, doors and other points of entry.


  • Wherever possible remove valuable or desirable items from window displays.


  • Test fire and burglar alarm systems and review notification procedures with alarm companies. 


  • Ensure that all staff are fully briefed and ensure, if applicable that staff radios are working and there are sufficient batteries.


  • Ensure that outside areas are free of debris, dustbins, tools etc.


  • Check which staff are first aid trained and that all first aid kits are fully stocked.


  • Ensure CCTV is operational, can provide the highest resolution possible and that you have staff trained to download or send to police where required.


  • Inform Mark Wilson (details below), if your building has scaffolding erected, or in close proximity.

 

 

Following updates and reporting concerns

Follow West Midlands Police and Dudley Council’s official social media channels so that you can ensure you are receiving and sharing accurate information moving forward:

 

 

Concerns about tensions can be reported:www.dudleysafeandsound.org/communitycohesion

 

For anything you are unsure about, whether it’s raising a concern, checking a fact, or finding out more, please get in touch with Mark Wilson, community safety officer at Dudley Council: mark.wilson@dudley.gov.uk on 01384 816883 or 07966 503 370.

 
 
 
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