POLICE say they are increasingly concerned for a mother and two children who have disappeared from a refugee hotel in Stockport, Greater Manchester, 10 days ago.

The Britannia hotel, run by outsourcing firm Serco, has been at the centre of controversy over allegations of ill-treatment, hygiene problems, poor food and abuse of residents.

Greater Manchester Police have named the missing woman as Shelan, in her thirties, and children Sana, 11, and Anas, 10.

Police, who have appealed for information, said they were last seen at the hotel on Wednesday April 5 at 4.30pm.

“It is believed the family are travelling across the UK,” police said.

“Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about Shelan and the children and want to make sure they are safe and well.”

Earlier this week the Morning Star reported on the plight of another refugee family — a mother, father and child — who left the hotel because of the conditions there.

They said they had suffered violence and abuse and are now homeless.

Poor conditions in the hotel have been confirmed by Stockport Council’s social services department.

Serco has denied any violence or abuse has taken place at the hotel.

Following the recent disappearance, Manchester-based refugee support group RAPAR said: “The disappearance of a mother and two children from this Serco-managed hotel in Stockport is deeply concerning. 

“Over the last year, RAPAR has repeatedly warned the authorities about serious safeguarding issues reported to us by people living at Serco-managed asylum hotels in the north-west.

“A former worker at one of these hotels in Warrington has also raised serious safeguarding concerns with Serco itself, local politicians and others.

“The Home Office must act now to stop the violation of human rights and to protect people seeking safety who have been forced to flee from war and persecution and are now being housed in hotel accommodation managed by Serco and other large private companies.”

In 2019 Serco was fined £19.2 million for fraudulently claiming money from the Home Office when it had a contract for “tagging” released prisoners and people on probation.

It was found to have claimed for prisoners who had left the country, returned to prison or were dead.

Serco and the Home Office were invited to comment.