UK politicians must stop stoking division, says policing chief

Gavin Stephens says rows over asylum seekers have raised community tensions and put pressure on officers

Politicians should work to “reduce and defuse tensions” instead of stoking division, a senior chief constable has said.

Gavin Stephens, who chairs the National Police Chiefs’ Council, was speaking after weeks of demonstrations against asylum seekers being housed in hotels, and counter-protests by those who fear the issue is mobilising the far right and demonising vulnerable people.