A growing debate over asylum seeker accommodation and public resources has brought political divisions sharply into focus across Wrexham and surrounding areas in Flintshire , following a series of public demonstrations and grass root campaigns.

One of the most high profile of those leading the campaigns is "Wrexham Unite," a controversial community-based movement.

It positions itself as expressing public concern over the housing of asylum seekers locally and the impact of migration on public services, housing, and the community.

However critics see the group as espousing inflammatory rhetoric and stoking divisions.

Posts on the group's Facebook page often refer to court convictions involving "illegal immigrants", with one comment saying: "Stop the boats.

Stop the hotels.

Deport the lot." Wrexham Unite organised another protest in Wrexham on Saturday August 29, and marched through the town.

It was opposed by a counter-rally held by Wrexham Anti-Fascists.

Ahead of the planned protest, a post on the Wrexham Unite Facebook page said: “This is our country.

Uncontrolled illegal migration is a growing threat to the safety of our communities and our people.” And during the Saturday protest, protesters chanted controversial slogans - including "deport the f****** lot", "stick your Allah up your a***" and "stick your Palestine up your a***".

Flags, most notably the Union Jack, the St George’s Cross, and the Draig Goch - the Welsh Dragon - have increasingly become visual flashpoints in the UK, encapsulating a broader and often polarized debate over patriotism, nationalism, and identity.

Wrexham Unite has also coordinated high-visibility Welsh flag displays across the area.

A post by the group said they were "Proudly flying the Welsh flag with pride and standing up for our heritage, our community, and our nation." There are many still flying across the area.

But counter-campaigners and local political figures have demanded the removal of the flags from city centre lampposts, instead arguing they were being used as a display of racism and intimidation.

Wrexham County Borough Council has said it will not proactively remove the flags unless they pose a direct road safety risk or physical obstruction.

Mudiad Eryr Wen, which describes itself as a "Movement for the Welsh republican nationalist youth", was also involved in the removal of England and Union flags this year, from lampposts near the Cae Ras stadium, where Wrexham AFC play their home games.

At the time a statement by the movement said: "These flags have absolutely nothing to do with Wales, and in actuality symbolise English supremacy in this country and elsewhere.

It is an absolute embarrassment and a stain on the town to have them on display, especially just up the road from the Cae Ras." Anti-aslyum seeker protests by Wrexham Unite, have also led some critics to warn of a potential "rise of the far right" in the region, amid claims extreme elements are attached to protests.

Opponents argue that anti-immigration campaigning risks marginalising vulnerable groups, and promoting nationalist ideology.

Counter-protest groups, including Wrexham Anti-Fascists, look to oppose far-right populism, criticising Wrexham Unite.

North Wales Live has approached Wrexham Unite and the Wrexham Anti-Fascists for comment over their campaigns.

They have not responded.

But beyond organised activist groups, there have also been demonstrations and concerns raised by members of local communities, who feel their everyday voices and anxieties are being overlooked, when it comes to the housing of asylum seekers.

These have included protests against proposals to locate immigrants in flats at The Ambrose Centre in Mold last year, with a reported capacity to accommodate up to 35 people; and the former Plas yn Rhos site in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, where the plans were eventually abandoned.

More recently, proposals to house asylum seekers at the Gronant Institute in Flintshire, sparked a huge backlash and national attention.

The original proposal was for 13 out of the 15 properties to be used.

Labour MP Becky Gittins said that has now been scaled back to a maximum of three properties to be used, accommodating no more than three families.

In a recent statement, she said: "The original approach was for 13 out of the 15 properties to be used.

From the outset, I was clear that while our area should play its part in providing asylum accommodation, the scale of what was happening was not proportionate for a village the size of Gronant, with limited public transport and access to shops and services." Ms Gittins added she had asked the Home Office to reconsider saying: "There is nobody currently being accommodated at the site.

If it is used for asylum accommodation in the future, a maximum of three properties will be used, accommodating no more than three families.

The remaining properties will not be used for asylum accommodation." The rising political temperature has drawn strong reactions from political figures offering contrasting perspectives on the root causes of the unrest.

Sam Rowlands, Conservative Member of the Senedd for North Wales, said: "Recent public concerns and protests around immigration stem primarily from two key issues: growing frustration with an immigration system in need of fundamental reform, and broader questions regarding how current policies affect integration and social cohesion.

"An effective immigration system should welcome those who wish to work hard, integrate into British society, and contribute meaningfully to their local communities.