Asylum seekers escaping war zones may experience renewed trauma if situated near a police firearms test center, activists warn. The government’s recent proposal to house 600 individuals temporarily at a military training camp near Crowborough, East Sussex, has sparked concerns. The camp, located just 1.2 miles from the Sussex Police Training Centre, Kingstanding, is reportedly used for firearms, taser, and police dog training exercises.
Critics, including Nicola David of One Life to Live and Tim Naor Hilton of Refugee Action, argue that large military camps are unsuitable for accommodating individuals seeking safety. The proximity of asylum seekers to potential explosions and gunfire could exacerbate existing trauma from war and persecution experiences. They advocate for a comprehensive national housing strategy to address the housing crisis affecting all residents, including asylum seekers.
Nathan Phillips from Asylum Matters emphasizes the importance of housing asylum seekers within communities rather than isolated camps like Crowborough, where sounds of gunfire and explosions are deemed inappropriate. Concerns have been raised regarding staffing, police presence, strain on public services, and overall public safety implications. Last week, a protest against the plans drew significant attention, with Wealden District Council exploring legal options.
Critics, such as Conversation Over Borders and Care4Calais, have highlighted potential human rights violations and wastage of public funds by housing asylum seekers at a military base. The Home Office’s rationale for using military sites is to optimize outcomes for taxpayers and alleviate pressure on local communities. The Labour Party has committed to discontinuing the use of hotels for asylum accommodation before the upcoming election. Sussex Police declined to provide further details about the Kingstanding site due to operational reasons.
The government has been contacted for comment on the matter.
