Three individuals have been apprehended following altercations outside a former military base repurposed to shelter asylum seekers. The incidents occurred near the entrance of the Crowborough facility in East Sussex, where a gathering took place on Friday. As a vehicle attempted to exit the premises, two men and a woman from the crowd engaged in threatening behavior, shouting insults, and obstructing the vehicle by striking it, causing distress to the driver and passengers, as stated by a representative from Sussex Police. The initial group of 27 asylum seekers had arrived at the Crowborough site early Thursday morning.
A 36-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman, both residents of Crowborough, along with a 54-year-old man from Newhaven, were taken into custody on Saturday under suspicion of breaching section 4a of the Public Order Act, the authorities confirmed. The trio remains in police custody.
According to the Sussex Police spokesperson, “The gathering began peacefully, but escalated when three individuals became threatening and intimidating towards a departing vehicle. They obstructed the vehicle, hurled verbal abuse, and struck it, causing distress to the driver and passengers.”
Currently, approximately 27 men are housed at the camp, with plans from the Home Office to accommodate up to 500 men as part of the initiative to phase out the use of asylum hotels. The decision has been met with opposition from local residents and Wealden District Council, which is contemplating legal action.
Chief Superintendent James Collis stated, “The utilization of the Crowborough training camp for asylum accommodation has raised concerns in the community. Sussex Police has been in dialogue with lawful protesters regarding their concerns and will uphold the right to peaceful protest. Nevertheless, a small faction within the gathering last night behaved in a threatening and intimidating manner towards individuals legitimately conducting business at the facility entrance. Such conduct is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior.”
He added, “Our officers are diligently ensuring the safety of everyone in and around Crowborough and the camp. Those engaging in criminal activities should expect stringent action from law enforcement. We have bolstered police presence in Crowborough and the vicinity to provide a visible point of contact for the public, offering engagement and reassurance, which will be sustained in the subsequent weeks.”
“We will cooperate with our partners to assist the local community, and urge those with concerns to approach officers on the street or at the local police station. The Home Office is responsible for the site, its security, and its occupants, and we advise individuals with site-related concerns to reach out to the Home Office initially.”
The Labour Party has pledged to discontinue the use of asylum hotels by 2029, with Sir Keir Starmer expressing hopes for an earlier resolution. The government has reported a decrease in asylum hotels in use, from over 400 during the previous administration to fewer than 200 presently.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, during a visit to Crowborough, asserted readiness to vigorously defend against any legal challenges. Tasked with expediting the closure of asylum hotels, she emphasized the significance of military sites in achieving this objective.
Crowborough and Cameron Barracks in Inverness were earmarked by the government last year for accommodating asylum seekers. The Crowborough facility boasts round-the-clock security, CCTV surveillance, and stringent resident sign-in protocols, as outlined by the Home Office. Residents are subjected to health and police screenings before their arrival at the camp.
The Crowborough site, formerly utilized to house Afghan families evacuated from Kabul in 2021, is part of these initiatives according to the Home Office.