Three Arrested Following Disorder at Crowborough Asylum Seeker Camp
Three individuals have been arrested by Sussex Police after two separate incidents of disorder occurred outside the Crowborough training camp in East Sussex. The camp is currently being used to house asylum seekers as part of the government's initiative to reduce reliance on expensive hotel accommodations.
Details of the Arrests and Incidents
The arrests took place on Saturday, involving a 36-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman, both from Crowborough, and a 54-year-old man from Newhaven. All three were detained on suspicion of committing an offence under the Public Order Act and remain in police custody.
According to Sussex Police, the incidents happened at the entrance to the camp on Friday. A police spokesperson described the initial gathering as peaceful but stated that the situation escalated when a vehicle attempted to leave the site.
The spokesperson explained: "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."
Background on the Crowborough Camp
The Crowborough training camp is one of two military sites announced by the government last year to accommodate asylum seekers, with the other being Cameron Barracks in Inverness. The Home Office plans to house up to 500 men at the Crowborough site, with approximately 27 men currently residing there.
This move is part of a broader strategy to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, which has been criticised for its high costs. During a visit to Crowborough on Thursday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood defended the policy, stating she would "vigorously" defend any legal challenges.
Mahmood 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."
Local Opposition and Police Response
The decision to use the camp has sparked significant opposition from local residents and authorities. Wealden District Council has indicated it is considering legal action against the move.
Ch Supt James Collis of Sussex Police emphasised that the Home Office retains responsibility for the site's security and occupants. He advised: "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 situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding asylum accommodation policies in the UK, as the government seeks to implement alternatives to hotel use amidst local and legal challenges.
