Residents living next to a newly established camp set to accommodate 600 male asylum seekers are expressing frustration towards a local school for advising students to be ‘kind and caring’ towards the newcomers.
The Army Training Camp in Crowborough, East Sussex, is preparing to receive hundreds of unaccompanied male migrants by January. This development came to the attention of the community only after details were leaked to a newspaper.
During a meeting last week, parents voiced their concerns to Andrew Larter, a Home Office official. They were troubled by reports that their children had been instructed to ‘welcome’ the migrants, questioning, “Weren’t we taught to be cautious of strangers?”
The situation intensified when footage from the crowded public meeting at the Crowborough community center surfaced online. It revealed that an assembly had taken place at a nearby secondary school and sixth form, sparking further debate.
Reports suggest that during the assembly, students were encouraged to show friendliness toward the migrants.
Local resident William Penfold commented, “Last week, they held an assembly where children were told to be kind and caring to the immigrants arriving, including those termed as illegal immigrants.”
‘Weren’t we raised to be careful of strangers? Are they expecting us, our children, to talk to them? This is completely wrong.’
A parent, who gave his name as Ben, said: ‘How can our children enjoy their freedom when there are 600 unvetted young men wandering around the town.
‘How schools now going to cope with the fact that the majority of these children are going to be driven to school.’
Residents next to a new migrant camp which will house 600 lone male asylum seekers raised concerns to Home Office director of asylum accommodation, Andrew Larter
A dog handler walking within the security fence yesterday morning
Fury followed after Mr Larter (pictured right) told residents if he was in their position he would be ‘sitting alongside’ them
‘How are parents going to be confident to allow their children to go to local parks into the town and enjoy their childhood and their freedom?,’ he added.
Parents said the wellbeing of school pupils had been affected since the plans to house migrants at the army camp were announced at the end of last month.
Residents also challenged the Home Office’s director of asylum accommodation Andrew Larter on how the government intended to manage the 600 men, which would increase the town’s 20,000 population by 3 per cent.
One asked: ‘How do you plan to meet the sexual needs of 600 men?’
Mr Larter replied: ‘I don’t.’
Other residents brought up recent cases reported in the press, such as asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu.
Kebatu had been staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, used by the government to house migrants, when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex.
He was jailed for 12 months but was accidentally released from prison by mistake, sparking a two-day manhunt. He was given £500 before being deported.
The packed public meeting was held at Crowborough’s Community Centre last week
Residents raised concerns over the safety of children in the area and brought up recent cases reported in the press, including asylum seeker and convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu
Locals are also worried about the increased pressure on already inadequate public services and the impact the Home Office plan will have on house prices
The camp and barracks were previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021 before they were resettled elsewhere
Wealden District Councillor Andrew Wilson told the official he was ‘appalled’ at the plans to use the army camp, adding that the ‘Home Office has failed the community’.
He said: ‘You have put us at risk and I am appalled.
‘I want your assurance that you’ll take personal responsibility for anything that happens in this town as a result of what you’re doing.’
One resident asked the Home Office official what he would do in their circumstances.
Mr Larter said: ‘I would be holding someone in my seat to account to make sure that what they were doing was lawful, appropriate and I would be sitting alongside you, I’m sure.’
On Sunday the town held a protest against the plans, ahead of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s announcement to shake-up rules for legal migration.
Campaigners still believe they can stop the plan and are raising money for a legal challenge.
Yesterday, guards with dogs were seen patrolling the site, where a secondary security fence has been erected alongside a series of residential huts.
Protesters in Crowborough, East Sussex, hold placards and march through the town centre on Sunday
Plastic sheeting erected on a fence around the camp – which is near the quiet village of Crowborough
The full security team at the camp is expected to be in place with the next week in preparation for the arrival of the first group of asylum seekers.
Locals are concerned about increased pressure on already inadequate public services and the impact the Home Office plan will have on house prices.
The Home Office said most primary healthcare will be delivered in the camp although the asylum seekers will be registered with local GPs.
Responding to health and safety concerns, the Home Office said they are obliged to ensure all systems at the site were safe, legal and compliant.
