Parents say schoolgirls in Dumfries are too scared to walk the streets due to unwanted attention from asylum seekers staying at the Mercure. One mother said that asylum seekers turn up "every single day" at lunchtimes to "perv on the kids". ‌She added: "Some of the girls have stopped going into the town as they feel so unsafe. It is time to close the asylum hotel in Dumfries to address concerns." ‌The most recent figures suggested Dumfries and Galloway was home to 91 asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their application in December 2025.

Source: Express April 08, 2026 22:07 UTC