Somali man arrested after stabbing at Surrey asylum seeker hotel

A Somali man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing at the Stanwell Hotel in Staines, Surrey. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 pm on Saturday at the premises, which has been used to house asylum seekers since 2022.

The victim, identified by Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp as a support staff worker, sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Surrey Police deployed armed officers to the scene and confirmed that no other suspects are currently being sought.

Detective Superintendent Kate Hyder noted that the incident has caused concern within the local community. The hotel, located near Heathrow Airport, is currently subject to proposals to restore its original function for business and leisure travelers through a significant expansion and modernization program.