Asylum seekers moved into Crowborough Army Camp despite local opposition

Asylum seekers have started moving into a military training camp in East Sussex despite opposition from the local council and residents.

A total of 27 single male migrants have been moved into Crowborough Army Camp, the Home Office has announced.

It will eventually house more than 500 for up to three months at a time while their asylum claims are processed.

The camp was first proposed in October as an alternative to asylum hotels, which the government has pledged to close by the end of this parliament, set for 2029.

Since then, there have been regular protests by locals over concerns about safety and security.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp called it "another day of shame for the Labour government" as he accused the Home Office of having "kicked out" the 6,000 army and RAF cadets who use the site for training every year.

Wealden District Council leader James Partridge said he had a meeting with border security and asylum minister Alex Norris on Wednesday evening, when he was told no decision had been made yet.

But an hour later, Mr Partridge said he had been informed the army camp will be used, despite the council's "strong objection".

"The minister hasn't listened to any of this," he said in a social media video.

Mr Partridge said the council has asked its legal team to see if they can bring a legal challenge to the Home Office's decision.

A crowdfund of residents has already raised £93,000 for a legal challenge, more than the £90,000 target.

"We know this [legal challenge] is a long shot, but we've been probing the Home Office throughout the process to see if we can find a way to bring a successful legal action," Mr Partridge added.

He said locals need to "try and find a way to make the best of it, and certainly not make matters worse".

"We know a lot of people will be angry, frightened and worried," he added.

He called on residents to "come together" like they did to welcome Afghans and Ukrainian refugees, and "take responsibility for making our community feel safe and secure".

Mr Philp added that illegal immigrants "pose a threat to local communities up and down the country".

"We have seen hundreds of crimes committed by illegal immigrants in asylum accommodation, including many rapes, sexual assaults and even murder," he said.

"Now the women and children of Crowborough will be exposed to those risks too."

The Home Office says the Crowborough accommodation has 24-hour security, CCTV and a strict sign-in system for those being housed there.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Illegal migration has been placing immense pressure on communities.

"That is why we are removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain, closing asylum hotels that are blighting communities.

"Crowborough is just the start."

(c) Sky News 2026: Asylum seekers moved into Crowborough Army Camp despite local opposition