Thousands of people have marched through the East Sussex town of Crowborough to protest against UK government plans to house asylum seekers at a former military training camp.
The demonstration saw men, women and children walk from the site into the town centre after the Home Office confirmed plans to accommodate up to 500 male asylum seekers at the base. The scheme forms part of wider government efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
While many of those taking part were local residents, far-right activists and groups from other parts of England were also present, making it the largest and most high-profile protest linked to the plans so far.
Opposition has intensified since the first asylum seekers were moved into the site last week, with the Crowborough camp being treated as a test case for emerging asylum policy. A residents’ group, Crowborough Shield, which describes itself as non-political and voluntary, is leading a legal challenge and participated in the march. The group has accused the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, of “threatening” Crowborough and other communities with similar asylum housing proposals.
Among those attending was Lynn Hall, who travelled from elsewhere in Sussex and described herself as an “ordinary concerned mother of two”.
“I feel really emotional about this because this was a site that was used by young cadets and now it is they who have been displaced,” she said. “People have real concerns here about this and it’s about the unaccompanied young men who will be living here. I’m not hardline, I’m not political and I don’t want to be against anybody but I feel strongly.”
Some demonstrators carried flags bearing the logo of Advance UK, a hard-right political party founded by former MEP Ben Habib after leaving Reform UK, and which has attracted support from far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. Hall said she was unaware of the group’s background when this was explained to her.
Those seen during the march also included Callum Barker, a former activist with the far-right Homeland party, who previously helped organise protests outside the Bell Hotel in Essex. Activists linked to the Operation Raise the Colours movement were also present, including individuals recently banned by French authorities over planned activities on the French coast.
The march passed the home of John Tate, a former senior Home Office civil servant and deputy parliamentary ombudsman, who said residents felt excluded from the decision-making process. “As far as the Home Office is concerned we have no say in the matter,” he said. “The local MP [Nusrat Ghani] has tried to do her best by organising meetings, but it has gone ahead.”
His wife said she supported the protest, adding: “I think it’s a good thing as it really does show the extent of local opposition,” though both expressed concern that the presence of far-right groups could “aggravate” tensions.
Around 27 men have so far been housed at the camp. Crowborough is one of two former military sites announced last year for asylum accommodation, alongside Cameron Barracks in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.
During the march, protesters followed behind a banner reading “Crowborough says no”, with chants including “Keir Starmer is a wanker” and, in some cases, “Keir Starmer is a traitor”. A vehicle at the front of the march played loud music and displayed rightwing slogans.
Sussex Police said no arrests were made during Sunday’s protest. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “We know that the use of the Crowborough training camp for asylum accommodation has caused concern within the community. 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.”
However, three people were arrested on Saturday following disorder outside the camp. A 36-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman from Crowborough, along with a 54-year-old man from Newhaven, were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Public Order Act.
During a visit to Crowborough last week, Mahmood said the government would defend any legal challenge “vigorously”, as Wealden district council considers its own action. She 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.”