THE leader of Colchester Council has thanked all those who helped Afghan refugees in Colchester after the Government evicted refugees from hotels.

The Government gave families three months' notice in April to move out of temporary hotel accommodation.

Holiday Inn Express, in Langham, was being used as a safe haven for about 100 Afghan refugees while Marks Tey Hotel, in London Road, was confirmed to be bridging accommodation.

It is understood some refugees will stay in Colchester, and some who were made homeless are now in temporary accommodation. 

Many have already left to find homes across the UK.

Colchester Council leader David King said the city owes “a debt of gratitude” to the people of Afghanistan after its forces served alongside the British Army to fight the Taliban.

As of March this year, Home Office data showed there were 203 Afghan refugees living in Colchester.

Support for the refugees has come from a variety of groups in the city, with the Mercury Theatre recently running creative projects to help alleviate isolation among the newcomers.

And Mr King said Colchester is proud to be what he termed “a city of sanctuary”.

He said: "We owe a debt of gratitude to the Afghan people who supported and served with British forces against the Taliban.

"They put their lives on the line to help us, and it is right we should do everything we can to help them rebuild their lives.

"We are proud to be a city of sanctuary and together to have helped provide them with a safe and secure place to stay until, as now, they move on."

Mr King added there should be a reform of the UK’s asylum system.

He added: "Asylum seekers should not be placed in expensive and often unsuitable hotels for such long periods of time.

"They should not have to wait years for their claims to be processed.

"They should be able to know their status and, leave or stay, be able to start rebuilding their lives as soon as possible."