In the East Sussex town of Crowborough, a fierce battle is raging over government plans to house hundreds of asylum seekers. While weekly protests featuring Union Jacks have become a familiar sight, a far darker narrative of intimidation and violent threats against those who speak in support of the migrants is now emerging.
A Climate of Fear and Intimidation
Local residents who have publicly backed the Home Office proposal to accommodate 540 male asylum seekers at a disused army training camp on the town's outskirts report being systematically targeted. They describe a campaign of threats designed to silence any opposition to the dominant anti-migrant rhetoric.
Aaron Stevens, a 37-year-old father of four, told of knowing individuals who have faced threats of death or acid attacks simply for challenging what he calls 'far-right' posts on local social media groups. "People have had threats made to themselves and their households and their families," he explained. He notes that many who spoke up have been "forcibly quietened down" and have even changed their Facebook profiles to protect their identities.
One volunteer, identified only as Andy, detailed the extreme abuse he received after trying to organise support for the incoming asylum seekers. He claims he was warned, "we’ll rape your wife so that you know what it’s like when it happens to one of us." Andy, who helps run a local refugee support group, added that members have faced verbal abuse, swearing, and dreadful online comments, particularly women offering a kinder perspective. Some have even had their houses intimidated.
Residents Too Scared to Shop in Town
The atmosphere in Crowborough has become so febrile that some residents are now afraid to go into the town centre. Caroline Coxon, 70, who has doggedly countered false information online, had her identity exposed publicly. "I don’t want to go into Crowborough shopping anymore. It’s that bad," she stated, though she resolved to "stand up and be counted."
Another anonymous resident, who works with refugee charities, described having a panic attack in a supermarket after the first protest. "I was looking around these people and I didn’t know who was looking at me with hostility. It was an awful feeling," she said. She contrasted the current hostility with the community's warm support for Ukrainians, noting, "You don’t have to be happy about them coming, you just have to be kind."
The intimidation has had tangible consequences, with one individual reportedly installing vibration alarms and kick-proof doors due to the threats they've faced. Metro has seen social media messages sent to one woman, including one that read, "let me know when one of these illegals decide to rape you and I’ll get my phone out and make sure it goes on Facebook."
The Push for Compassion Amidst the Hostility
Despite the intimidation, a contingent of locals is working to prepare a welcome. Aaron Stevens, a recipient of the Red Cross’ Henry Dunant medal for his work after the Grenfell Tower fire, believes a silent majority wants to help. He is setting up a community interest company to help the men settle in, stating, "We need to try and make the best of the situation, rather than meeting people with hatred."
Andy continues to run collection drives for clothes and essentials. These volunteers aim to support the asylum seekers with mental health, legal procedures, and drop-in sessions, mirroring the support previously offered to Ukrainians.
The controversy stems from Home Office plans to use the former army camp in Crowborough to help end the reliance on hotels for asylum accommodation. The last cadets have left, and the site is no longer a Ministry of Defence base. However, the local 'Crowborough Shield' group has requested a judicial review, arguing the plans breach common law rights.
The Home Office has defended the move, stating it is "furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels" and that using large military sites is a key part of its reforms to tackle illegal migration. The department intends to accelerate plans to move people into Crowborough once the site is fully operational and safe.
