Thousands of locals gathered in Crowborough, England on Sunday, 25 January to protest the government’s plan to house more than 500 male migrants in the town’s former military camp. The demonstration was the 12th since the plans were announced in October 2025, with the first batch of asylum seekers arriving last week—sparking anxiety and fear among residents.
Speaking to GB News, one resident said the community is worried about safety, stressing that despite contradictory media coverage and drone footage presented by officials, the camp is located close to the town. ‘It literally is right on our doorstep,’ he said, adding that the main high street is at most a 20-minute walk away and that schoolchildren pass through the area daily near the site where migrants are being housed.
‘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,’ protestor Sarah Rogers, a mother of two, told LBC News.
Crowborough Is Only the Beginning
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of the current Parliament. As part of that plan, ministers announced the use of the Crowborough camp and Cameron Barracks in Inverness, Scotland. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said ‘Crowborough is just the start’, promising to bring forward ‘site after site’ until asylum hotels are closed.
The Home Office claims more than 400 hotels were opened under the previous government at a cost of £9 million a day, with about 200 still in use, while overall asylum costs have fallen by 15 per cent.
According to the Home Office, migrants will be housed at the Crowborough site for ‘up to three months each’, before being removed from the country if their claim is rejected. Officials also released pictures and video footage of the camp showing dormitories, a medical centre, shower blocks, dining and leisure areas, as well as interview suites and induction rooms.
‘Locals argue that the Home Office ignored community safety concerns when making the decision’
Locals argue that the Home Office ignored community safety concerns when making the decision. A campaign has raised more than £93,000 to fund legal action seeking a Judicial Review of the plan.
Local MP Nus Ghani said residents’ concerns were ‘legitimate and valid’, calling the site ‘wholly inappropriate’ and noting that it remains an active army training facility, with around 6,000 people training there in 2025. She also criticized the lack of consultation with the town and questioned whether the plan would save money compared to hotels, arguing that adapting the site would not be cheaper.
Ghani said a key concern is the arrival of ‘undocumented young men’ who entered the UK illegally and are now being housed at a site the local community cannot access, close to the town centre. She suggested the proximity to residential areas and the limited activities available locally are contributing to residents’ unease.
Costly Camp Policing
To address safety concerns, the Home Office said the site has 24/7 security, CCTV, and strict sign-in procedures. Some residents told BBC Radio Sussex they could accept the arrangement if it is properly controlled, while others said it has left them feeling less secure.
However, the additional policing required will not come without cost. The Daily Mail reported that the camp will cost taxpayers more than £5.5 million in extra policing, with more officers, technology, and equipment needed. Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said the estimate prepared by Sussex Police is based on Home Office assurances that the site will only be used for six months. She has submitted a funding request to the Home Office asking it to cover the bill and is awaiting a response.
Speaking on Sunday, Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police acknowledged local concerns about the migrant camp. ‘Our police presence has been increased in Crowborough and the surrounding area to provide a clear point of contact for the public for engagement and reassurance,’ he said, while thanking protesters for their ‘patience and understanding.’
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