Thousands march against Crowborough asylum seeker plan

Thousands march against Crowborough asylum seeker plan

Approximately 4,000 individuals gathered to protest government plans to accommodate asylum seekers at a military facility in East Sussex, according to event organizers. The Home Office had intended to temporarily house up to 540 male asylum seekers at an army training camp near Crowborough, but this plan has been postponed. The demonstrators, which included families with children, marched while carrying banners and chanting, moving from the former barracks site into the town center.

This demonstration marked the largest turnout in a series of protests that have taken place in Crowborough in recent weeks. Organizers expressed concerns that the town, with a population of around 20,000 people, is too small to integrate such a large number of asylum seekers within the community. The protests reflect local opposition to the government’s approach, emphasizing the need for considerations regarding the town’s capacity and resources.

The proposal to use the military site for housing asylum seekers was initially made public in October. In response, Wealden District Council formally opposed the plan by passing a motion against it and issuing a planning contravention notice to the Home Office. These official measures underline the local authority’s firm stance on the issue and its commitment to challenging the government’s intentions.

In an official statement, the Home Office acknowledged concerns about past mistakes involving rushed accommodation plans that resulted in unsafe and disorderly conditions affecting local communities. A spokesperson remarked, “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.” The statement emphasized that relocating asylum seekers to large military sites forms a key part of reform efforts aimed at addressing illegal migration and reducing factors that attract individuals to come to the UK

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More