Three people have been taken into police custody following two separate incidents of disorder that occurred outside the Crowborough training camp in East Sussex. This military site is currently being utilised by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers as part of a broader government initiative to phase out the reliance on expensive hotel accommodations.
Arrests Made Following Threatening Behaviour
Sussex Police confirmed the arrests of a 36-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman, both from Crowborough, along with a 54-year-old man from Newhaven. The individuals were detained on Saturday on suspicion of committing offences under the Public Order Act. According to police reports, the disturbances took place at the entrance to the camp on Friday.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police provided details of the incidents, stating: "The gathering was initially peaceful. However, when a vehicle was leaving the site, three individuals were threatening and intimidatory. The individuals caused an obstruction, shouted abuse and struck the vehicle, alarming the driver and passengers."
Government's Asylum Accommodation Strategy
The Crowborough training camp is one of two military sites designated by the government last year for housing asylum seekers, with the other being Cameron Barracks in Inverness. Currently, approximately 27 men have been relocated to the East Sussex facility, with plans to increase capacity to accommodate up to 500 individuals. This move forms a critical component of the government's mission to end what it describes as the costly practice of using hotels for asylum accommodation.
During a visit to Crowborough on Thursday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed the situation, emphasising the government's commitment to this policy. She told broadcasters: "I understand the strength of feeling but I do also believe that getting out of asylum hotels is absolutely crucial for the country. We should never have used asylum hotels to house illegal migrants into this country." Mahmood further vowed to defend any legal challenges to the camp's operation "vigorously."
Local Opposition and Police Response
The establishment of the asylum seeker camp has generated significant opposition from local residents and authorities. Wealden District Council has indicated that it is considering legal action in response to the site's use. In light of the recent disorder, Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police clarified the division of responsibilities, noting: "The Home Office retains responsibility for the site, its security and its occupants, and we encourage anyone with concerns relating to the site to contact the Home Office in the first instance."
The incidents underscore the ongoing tensions surrounding the government's asylum accommodation policies, particularly in communities where alternative sites are being implemented. As the Home Office proceeds with its plans to expand the camp's capacity, local and national attention remains focused on the balance between operational necessity and community relations.
