Residents of a quiet East Sussex town say they are living in a “state of complete fear and terror” after asylum seekers began arriving at a former army barracks, as thousands gathered for the largest demonstration since the first migrants were moved in.
Crowds descended on Crowborough on Saturday morning, waving Union Jacks, St George’s Crosses and Sussex flags while chanting “Keir Starmer’s traitor” and “Who’s streets? Our streets.” Protesters assembled at the gates of the camp at around 10am before marching into the town centre.
The demonstration follows the arrival of 27 asylum seekers at Crowborough Army Camp at approximately 3:30am on Thursday, with the site expected to eventually house more than 500 males who will be free to leave and return as they wish.
Sarah Rogers, a 34-year-old mother-of-two, described the atmosphere in the town since the arrivals. She said: “We’re living in a state of complete fear and terror. It’s appalling. We have not slept. It’s awful. They have been seen hanging around the town already. I can’t stand it. Already many people are on about moving.”
Another local mother who helped organise the protest said she would no longer allow her children out alone in the town, adding: “They’re scared. We all are. They are not welcome here.”
Some attendees distributed rape alarms and defensive sprays, while a van at the centre of the march displayed “Stop the boats” and “Crowborough says no” slogans. Signs included messages such as “We’ve been ignored and neglected so we’re now at risk.”
The protests have drawn supporters from beyond the local area. Sean Cheney, 57, drove from Ashford in Kent to attend.
Three people were arrested on Friday after a vehicle was blocked from leaving the site.
A major security operation including overhead drones is in place. A local councillor has claimed some parents are withdrawing children from school because a bus route shares a stop with the base.
The Home Office has stated that asylum seekers will be registered with an on-site medic and will only use external services if additional treatment is required. However, local residents have raised concerns about GP access, with figures suggesting NHS Sussex ranks seventh out of 42 English trusts for patients waiting 28 days or more for appointments.
