A second protest and counter-protest is planned to be held during the weekend at a Newquay hotel housing asylum seekers.

The protest is being staged after “false and damaging” rumours that the person arrested following an alleged rape at Towan Beach on March 12 was staying at the Beresford Hotel.

Resist Cornwall has reacted by announcing it will stage a counter-protest outside the hotel to stand in support of survivors of sexual violence, “whose trauma is being co-opted by racists to incite hatred towards refugees.”

The first protest was held following allegations women and children were being followed by asylum seekers in Newquay. The Police stated at the time that it is aware of speculation on social media about some people not feeling safe in Newquay but the number of reports to police “do not reflect this.”

Cornwall commander Chief Superintendent Ben Deer said: “We are aware of a further potential protest being held outside of the hotel this weekend.

“While Devon & Cornwall Police respects the right to peaceful protest, I would ask all people to think about their comments and actions and the unhelpful rumour, myth and speculation this builds.

“We would like to put on record some statements of fact regarding a recent incident in Newquay where a man has been charged with the rape of a woman in the town.

“The incident on Saturday, March 12 has seen a man charged with the rape of a woman in her 30s. This matter is now subject to ongoing proceedings which must be respected.

“This incident has caused significant concern in the community and my officers and staff have been making efforts to increase visibility in order to ensure residents and visitors to Newquay feel safe and secure.

“There has been a number of speculative social media posts suggesting the man charged in relation to this offence was a resident at the Beresford Hotel in Newquay which is currently housing asylum seekers in the town. This has led to further posts which have suggested women and children in the town are at risk from attack by those asylum seekers living at the hotel.

“I would like to put on record that this is categorically untrue and the individual charged with the offence is not a resident at the Beresford Hotel.

“We maintain close partnership arrangements with Cornwall Council and other agencies to ensure any community impact is effectively managed and that both residents of the hotel and those living in Newquay are safeguarded.

“Comments suggesting offences are being committed by those staying at the hotel are untrue and unnecessarily raising community tension. If proactive policing action is required to safeguard the Newquay community, this will of course be addressed and I would encourage anyone with genuine concern to speak to local police.

“Newquay is a vibrant and welcoming town, something which I and I know local partners and businesses want to see continued as we approach what we hope will be a successful holiday season.”