Hundreds of furious residents have taken to the streets to protest against government plans to move hundreds of lone male asylum seekers into an army training camp.
The Home Office intends to transfer around 600 migrants to the military site in Crowborough, East Sussex by the end of next month – a move locals say has been forced on the community with virtually no consultation.
The mounting anger follows revelations that cadets based at the camp could be removed to make way for the arrivals.
Protesters turned out in their hundreds this morning, many draped in English flags and holding placards, marking the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations as frustration reaches boiling point.
Today, 600 marchers wore numbered bibs to highlight the number of asylum seekers expected to be housed at the site next week.
Crowborough is one of two locations earmarked to take in small-boat arrivals with minimal warning, leaving families, councillors and campaigners scrambling for answers.
Furious residents have taken to the streets once again in a major backlash against government plans to move hundreds of lone male asylum seekers into an army training camp on the edge of Crowborough, East Sussex
The Home Office intends to transfer around 600 migrants to the military site in Crowborough, East Sussex by the end of next month
Residents say the proposal is particularly alarming in light of reports that at least 200 people living in asylum hotels had been charged with criminal offences
UKIP Leader Nick Tenconi joined the protesters today wearing numbers to signify the amount of asylum seekers expected at Crowborough Army Camp
A sign during an anti-immigration protest near Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex
A general view of Crowborough Training Camp, East Sussex
The Government plans to use the army training camp to house hundreds of migrants
Residents say the proposal is particularly alarming in light of reports that at least 200 people living in asylum hotels had been charged with criminal offences – including sexual assaults – up to August this year.
Adult cadet instructors are now considering suspending all training once the migrants are moved in, warning that they cannot guarantee the safeguarding of youngsters on site.
Senior instructors have voiced deep concern about mixing the youth detachments with an influx of adult males and say the risks remain unresolved.
In recent days, large fences have gone up around the perimeter and security guards with dogs have been seen patrolling the area as preparations continue for the arrival of more than 500 asylum seekers.
Parents and cadet volunteers — none of whom have official training — have reportedly taken it upon themselves to carry out ‘counter patrols’ near pick-up and drop-off times to monitor any potential risks.
Crowborough Shield, a residents’ group opposing the plans, warned that cadets ‘will be displaced, with no alternative location offered’.
The Ministry of Defence told the Telegraph it takes the ‘safety and wellbeing of all cadets extremely seriously and that it ‘continues to work with the Home Office to assess the potential impact that housing asylum seekers on military bases could have on our Cadet Forces.’
Crowborough locals have been seen sporting signs with messages such as ‘stop rewarding, start deporting’.
Crowborough has a population of around 22,000 and locals believe their way of life could be threatened by the asylum seekers.
Crowborough has a population of around 22,000 and locals believe their way of life could be threatened by the asylum seekers
People attend a protest against asylum seekers being housed at an army training camp
Today, 600 marchers wore numbered bibs to highlight the number of asylum seekers expected to be housed at the site next week
Crowds on the village green started to dwindle when UKIP leader Nick Tenconi started speaking
Organisers handed out 600 numbered cards to marchers.
Penny Saunders, 58, an office administrator carried number 600.
She said: ‘I’m Crowborough born and bred. I haven’t marched before but I’m in total agreement with it. It will make a huge difference to our community.
‘I’ve seen catastrophic changes already. Our local services can’t cope as it is. I’ve seen crime rise and it’ll only get worse.
‘This is about community and the fact these men will be undocumented. It is about safety. The reason people want to live here is about the community and safety. It is not about racism,’ Penny said.
Adam, who declined to give his surname, carried number one.
The 43-year-old company director from Crowborough said: ‘I wanted to make a stand against what is being imposed on our community.
‘I want to protect my mum, my wife and daughter. We will be here until we don’t have to come any more.’
Wearing a top with ‘Stand your ground’ written on the back, campaigner Sarah White told the crowd she has stopped paying council tax.
Ms White, 40, was arrested earlier this year after climbing the steps of a council building to unfurl a Union flag following her speech at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The charges were later dropped.
Speaking at the protest on Sunday, Ms White said: ‘I’ve spent months outside the Bell Hotel along with loads of other people. We have protested there, and what has it done?
‘Has it stopped these undocumented, illegal men being housed in Bell Hotel? No, it hasn’t.
‘Has it stopped crimes being committed in our community? No, it hasn’t, because the councillors and the police don’t care.’
She added: ‘I am making a stand. I’ve stopped paying my council tax. I would encourage every single person to stop paying their council tax.
‘It’s not indefinitely, it’s just you saying, ‘At the moment, you are not putting us as a priority.”
Councillor Andrew Wilson, who represents Crowborough South East Ward, said Sunday’s protest was ‘a fantastic sight to see’ from a community ‘kept in the dark’ about Home Office plans.
He said: ‘It’s been a fantastic community response to a Home Office plan that is completely inappropriate.
‘If you look across the country at other places where asylum seekers have been housed, such as asylum hotels in Epping, there have been issues.
‘There’s not a lot to do in Crowborough – we’re a very small town… This is introducing a level of risk which I’m not sure the Home Office has appreciated.’
Cllr Wilson, who has lived in the town for 11 years, added he is concerned Crowborough lacks the police presence he believes will be needed if asylum seekers are housed at the base.
Two marches started in Crowborough in pouring rain before converging in the town centre and heading to a rally.
Organisers estimated up to 3000 people braved near torrential rain.
Crowds on the village green started to dwindle when UKIP leader Nick Tenconi started speaking.
He told the crowd his home town of Eastbourne was now full of ‘invader hotels’ whose owners had taken 30 pieces of silver from the Home Office to house migrants.
‘We don’t want our daughters and wives raped and murdered,’ he said.
Organisers estimated up to 3000 people braved near torrential rain
Two marches started in Crowborough in pouring rain before converging in the town centre and heading to a rally
Chair of the Crowborough Shield campaign group Kim Bailey said: ‘We have never wanted this to become a political campaign. This is still all about Crowborough’
Police said they are investigating reports of windows being smashed at the army camp
Chair of the Crowborough Shield campaign group Kim Bailey said: ‘We have never wanted this to become a political campaign. This is still all about Crowborough.’
The chair of campaign group Crowborough Shield, Ms Bailey said: ‘Lots of people have reported that police were handing out rape alarms in the town yesterday.
‘If ‘everything is safe, legal and compliant’, why on Earth do women in a sleepy little town like Crowborough need rape alarms.’
A spokesman for Sussex Police said officers were in the town at an event not connected to the army camp.
‘The local neighbourhood policing team attended a community event in Crowborough as part of its routine crime prevention and engagement work.
‘Our officers regularly attend similar community events providing crime prevention advice across Sussex,’ a spokesman said.
Security guards started patrolling the army camp on the edge of Crowborough with dogs this week.
Windows at the army camp on the edge the Sussex town have been smashed.
Campaign organisers told marchers they are now collecting money to provide CCTV cameras to any businesses who want them in the town.
Marchers chanted You’re Going Home to the tune of Three Lions as they took to the streets of Crowborough for a third weekend.
Another march and rally are planned next weekend.
Police said they are investigating reports of windows being smashed at the army camp.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘We are aware of a number of windows having been smashed at a Crowborough Training Camp.
‘Any reasonable lines of enquiry will be investigated and we will continue to work with local partners to keep our communities safe.’
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