Woman charged with hate crime after protest at asylum hotel in Greenock

A 32-year-old woman has been charged with a hate crime following a protest outside a hotel in Greenock that has been used to house asylum seekers. Another two men were arrested near the Holiday Inn Express on Wednesday evening and issued with fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour offences. It came 24 hours after disorder and a series of racist assaults in Glasgow following a knife attack in Belfast on Monday. The woman who was arrested in Greenock is expected to appear at the town's sheriff court on Friday. Police Scotland said two police vehicles were damaged as items were thrown at officers during the incidents. Ch Supt Rhona Fraser said: "Our priority is public safety and we had an appropriate policing plan in place for last night's demonstration. "We understand the concerns people have about their communities and will always balance the right to freedom of expression with the need to tackle crime without fear or favour. "Officers were attacked and police vehicles were damaged. "I strongly condemn that violence and there is no place for it in Scotland. "Officers continue to be in local areas and are engaged with communities to show support and listen to concerns." Poli