Protest over asylum seeker camp at army site

A protest has taken place in an East Sussex town after the government began housing asylum seekers at a military site.

Plans were announced in October to accommodate up to 500 male asylum seekers in an army training camp on the outskirts of Crowborough. The first 27 men arrived at the site in the early hours of Thursday morning.

This was the first large-scale protest in the town since the men were moved in, although demonstrations have taken place previously since the plans were confirmed.

The government said the move was part of its "mission to end the use of expensive hotels", with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stating that "Crowborough is just the start".

Moving asylum seekers to military sites, including the site in Crowborough, is part of the government's attempt to end the controversial use of hotels – something it has pledged to do before the next election.

More than 400 hotels were opened under the last government at a cost of £9m a day, according to the Home Office.

Now just under 200 remain in use, with overall asylum costs down 15%, a Home Office spokesperson said.

The military site was previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021, according to the Home Office.

On Friday, Crowborough's MP Nus Ghani said residents were "incredibly anxious" after the first asylum seekers were moved in.

She told BBC Radio Sussex that the site was "wholly inappropriate" and confirmed she had invited representatives from the Home Office to prove how it was "safe, legal and complaint", after it was previously ruled out for use.

The Crowborough site has 24/7 security with CCTV and strict sign-in processes for residents, the Home Office added.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said policing the town over next 12 months will cost £5.6m, but she was yet to hear back from the Home Office.

The BBC has approached the Home Office for a response to her point.

At the protest, one man told BBC South East: "The organisers will continue to protest until the camp is shut.

"I have family in town over multiple generations - we are scared."

One woman described it as "sad", while another added: "We haven't been informed about anything - we are out here making a stand. Everything in town is being driven by fear."

Christian Hogsbjerg, from Stand Up To Racism Crowborough, said: "The protests are targeting men who have not asked to come to Crowborough and are here only as a result of government policy.

"Those protesting on Sunday do not speak for everyone in the local community.

"Refugees are not to blame for all the problems local people face."

Sussex Police said that three people, arrested after disorder outside the site on Saturday, had been released on bail.

No arrests were made during Sunday's protest.

Ch Supt James Collis said: "I would like to thank the public at the protest and affected by the protest for their patience and understanding throughout today as it ensures we are able to keep everyone safe.

"Our police presence has been increased in Crowborough and the surrounding area to provide a clear point of contact for the public for engagement and reassurance. This presence will continue over the coming weeks.

"Any incidents will be responded to based on threat, harm and risk, in line with our existing processes for preventing crime and responding to calls for service across Sussex."

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