Hundreds protest against Crowborough army barracks plan for asylum seekers

Hundreds of people have protested against plans to move asylum seekers to an army training camp - as speakers encouraged people to "form patrols" and stop paying council tax.

Campaigners marched through the streets of Crowborough, East Sussex, after Crowborough Training Camp, which can house up to 540 men, was offered to the Home Office by the Ministry of Defence for a period of 12 months.

It has been offered along with Cameron Barracks in Inverness as part of the government's bid to close asylum hotels.

Sunday's protest, which saw participants chanting "send them home" as they carried signs and flags, was the second of three organised by Crowborough residents.

Wealden District Council has backed a motion to formally oppose the scheme.

Proposing the motion at a council meeting in November, council leader James Partridge said: "There has been a strong reaction against the proposals from many people who live in Crowborough.

"They are justifiably very worried about what would happen if 540 single men arrive to stay in the town with very little to do all day in accommodation which is not suitable.

"The risks are obvious, and the information about mitigations provided so far by the Home Office has not allayed people's fears."

The government has said mandatory security and criminality checks will be carried out on all asylum seekers using biometric data, and the site will have 24-hour security.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "A planned peaceful protest took place in Crowborough on Sunday morning. There were no arrests."

(c) Sky News 2025: Hundreds protest against Crowborough army barracks plan for asylum seekers