Local businesses are worried that tourists will stop coming to Skegness due to the increase in asylum seekers and crime.
After news broke that a woman was sexual assaulted in Skegness, Lincolnshire Police have today announced they have arrested a man for rape.
The police were called to the Tower Gardens area of Skegness just after 10.40pm on Friday, June 9, after there was a report of a sexual assault. Lincolnshire Police have now said they have arrested a 33-year-old man.
Lincolnshire police have named the man they have arrested as Saad Gomaa, of County Hotel, North Parade, Skegness. He has today appeared at Lincoln Magistrate Court.
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police has said the investigation into the rape is ongoing and that specialist officers are working with the victim. The police are asking for witnesses to come forward or anyone who was in the area between 10pm and 11pm to contact them.
Since the name was released local residents and businesses have said they are not surprised the man arrested came from County Hotel. One local resident who did not wished to be named said she was expecting it. asylum seekers
“We do not live in a seaside resort anymore; we live in the capital of asylum seekers. Crime in increasing and some people are now afraid to walk alone at night. Our MP and council have not done enough to stop Skegness being overrun with asylum seekers.”
Read: Skegness Business Owners Want Action
One local business owner who said this year could be his last, has said tourists are staying away due to the bad publicity Skegness has gained with the hotel shutting to house asylum seekers.
“I personally don’t feel safe in Skegness anymore. And, if I don’t feel safe, why should people visiting Skegness feel safe. Nothing is being done to stop this. A lot of business owners are struggling due to the rise in hotels shutting to house asylum seekers.”
Caravan owners who rent out their caravans to help pay for their site fees are also struggling. We have previously spoken to more than twenty caravan owners who have said with the news of the rise of asylum seekers in Skegness, they have had a lot of bookings cancelled.
The Lincolnshire resort was once a popular seaside resort attracting people from Grimsby, Lincoln, Boston, Sheffield, London, and Manchester, but now tourist numbers are falling.
Skegness MP Matt Warman who has been accused of not doing enough to save the reputation of Skegness has turned to Facebook to ask people not to speculate over the man who was charged with rape.
If anyone has any information that may assist with Lincolnshire Police ‘s investigation, you can contact 101 or email [email protected]. When contacting the police, please quote incident 560 9/6/23.