The UK seaside town where migrants are asking to go home because 'there's too much crime'

Migrants in a popular UK seaside town claim they would rather return home than live in British taxpayer-funded hotels due to crime in the area. One said he "doesn't feel safe" and added that "police don't help any people" in the town.

Three large hotels, the Chine Hotel, Roundhouse Hotel, and Britannia Hotel, are being used to house asylum seekers in Bournemouth. They are all within walking distance of the town's popular beaches and offer a combined 300 rooms which have been reserved for migrants. While the resort attracts around one million visitors every year, some migrants say they do not enjoy living in the area.

Ahmad Hani arrived in the UK from Jordan around two years ago and would rather return home than live in Bournemouth. He told the Daily Mail: "I don't feel safe here. I am an asylum seeker here and the Britannia Hotel is not safe for me.

"I have spoken to the Home Office to go back to my country. Here, too many people don't have (good) minds and do everything for enemies. There is too much crime. Police don't help any people here in Bournemouth."

The 25-year-old added: "There's too much danger here… the police don't do serious work." Meanwhile, an Eritrean migrant agreed: "I feel so bad here."

But some locals agree that crime has increased in Bournemouth over recent years. Sandip Dhungana, 21, works in a takeaway in the town and says he sees "so much crime".

He said: "I see so much crime here. I see fighting and drug dealers every day. It is disturbing. The people are crazy sometimes."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp previously said the town's tourist trade "is being put at risk". He criticised the Labour Government for the situation in Bournemouth.

He said: "Bournemouth’s tourist trade is being put at risk by the Government. There are now more illegal immigrants in hotels than when Labour came to office and this year so far has been the worst ever for Channel crossings.

"Labour promised to smash the gangs and end hotel use. Both promises lie in tatters and Bournemouth — along with the rest of the country — is paying the price for Labour’s massive failures."

According to Dorset Police, Bournemouth "remains a safe place to live, work, and visit." The force has increased patrols in the town and launched the Op Tracks programme, which includes frequent foot patrols around crime hotspots.

Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey, LPA Commander for the BCP area, said: "Bournemouth remains a safe place to live, work and visit. However, like most large, urbanised areas, we do have crime, which we are tackling and reducing. Often these offences involve individuals who are known to one another.

"The added influx of visitors we receive during peak periods can lead to additional demand and we have extensive policing plans in place – which includes working with our local partners – to ensure we proactively deter offenders from committing crime.

"This summer, our Good Safe Summer initiative saw us deploy enhanced visible patrols in key areas of touristic activity, such as the seafront, town centre and Lower Gardens. These patrols are also undertaken alongside our Town Team, who are deployed by BCP Council.

"Furthermore, the Op Track programme is in place in which our officers conduct regular foot patrols around hotspot areas where ASB and violent crime has been reported to us.

"Additionally, we also have dedicated patrol officers deployed to police our busy nighttime economy. The increased visibility and engagement of our officers in Bournemouth has been warmly received by our communities, according to their feedback, and has seen positive results.

"In the town centre, ASB has reduced by 4.6 per cent April - July 2025 compared to April - July 2024 and crime has reduced by 3 per cent April – July 2025 compared to April – July 2024. For this time period, there has been a 1.3 per cent reduction in violent offences and a 2.22 per cent reduction in public order.

"Dorset Police does not tolerate violence or disorder within our communities. It is our priority to investigate such offences, identify those involved, ensure that they become the subject of the criminal justice process and held account for their actions. We will continue our efforts to tackle crime and maintain Bournemouth as a safe and enjoyable place to live and visit."

Express.co.uk has contacted Britannia Hotels for comment.