Security at Metropole under review after videographer gains entry
PLUS: Inquest to open into the circumstances that led to a skeleton washing up on Cleveleys beach
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
When your behaviour is considered beyond the pale by even Mail Online, it might be time to reassess.
That was the case for the YouTuber who published a video where a man had gained entry to the Metropole Hotel earlier this month - filming kids and grabbing a quick meal.
His earlier videos included filming the discovery of Nicola Bulley’s body, and filming her husband collecting children from school.
Police have responded after an increase in activity around the hotel as people in various ways try to document what’s happening inside.
We also report on the discovery of the skeleton at Cleveleys beach, and are able to identify the much-loved man whose death will be examined starting this week.
By Luke Beardsworth
Operators of the Metropole Hotel had to be spoken to by police after an incident where an amateur videographer was able to gain entry.
Filming under the title of DJE Media, a man entered the Metropole Hotel on 13 August and in his video is seen queuing for food, filming families including children and generally exploring.
DJE Media typically has a focus on filming migrants along with any alleged crime in city or town centres.
The Blackpool Lead has learned that Lancashire Constabulary visited the hotel afterwards to speak with Serco about the security that is in place.
They have also spoken with the Home Office.
DJE Media is a YouTube channel operated by Chris Arnold, who uses the alias Daniel Edwards, and has 225,000 subscribers on YouTube.
His videos were described by even the Mail Online as deploying ‘rage-bait’ tactics and he was criticised for filming the moment Nicola Bulley’s body was found in a river and sharing the footage online.
A second incident last weekend saw a photographer allegedly poking his camera through various windows at The Metropole in an apparent attempt to film migrants.
A spokesperson for police told The Blackpool Lead: “Lancashire Police are aware of the incidents and have been in contact with both Serco and the Home Office to ensure appropriate security provisions are in place.”
Serco said that its security arrangements are constantly evolving.
A spokesperson for Serco said: “The safety of the asylum seekers that we accommodate and our staff located at the hotels we use is a high priority for us.
“We are aware of these incidents, which have been reported to the police and we constantly keep our security arrangements under review.”
Inquest to examine how the skeleton of 39-year-old man washed up on Cleveleys beach
An inquest will be opened in Blackpool next month to determine the circumstances by which a whole skeleton washed up on Cleveleys beach.
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