A family with three children were forced to spend the night in the reception of a Glasgow police station after they were stranded in the city when the Home Office cancelled an interview.
Two adults and three children, two aged eight and one aged five, were living in Scarborough in North Yorkshire when they received a letter telling them they must attend an interview in the city on Thursday, The Glasgow Times understands.
It is claimed they were told to travel more than 230 miles from the hotel they were living in to attend the meeting.
The letter stated they must attend for their asylum application to be recorded.
However, it is understood when they arrived they were told the meeting was not taking place and they left.
Having nowhere to stay they turned up at the city centre police station at Stewart Street at 7.30 pm with their belongings in two large bags but the authorities responsible for asylum seekers were unable to help and they had to stay until the next morning.
Police allowed them to stay and they spent the night in the public reception until 9.30 am.
Volunteers with Glasgow charity Homeless Project Scotland were attending the police station assisting a member of the public and came across the family.
Their volunteers returned with food and drink, and stayed with the family until they were able to be assisted.
Pictures show the family sleeping on chairs and on the floor with no covers in the station.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7.30 pm on Thursday, August 25, a family presented themselves at Glasgow City Centre police station requiring assistance.
"Enquiries were made with the relevant agencies and in the morning of Friday, August, 26, the family were passed into the care of a local charity.”
Homeless Project Scotland praised the police for providing the family with shelter and a place of safety.
A spokesperson said: “We understand the strains the police are under due to lack of support from the Home Office.
“It is unacceptable the police station is being used as an easy free hotel.”
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
