Thousands of residents in East Sussex took to the streets Sunday to protest the UK government’s plans to house hundreds of alleged asylum seekers at a former military training camp in Crowborough. The demonstration highlighted deep local opposition to immigration policies and the relocation of migrants into rural communities.
This week, the Home Office — responsible for border control and immigration — began moving migrants to the Crowborough site. According to local reports, 27 alleged asylum seekers arrived Thursday as part of a plan to repurpose the camp to house up to 500 people temporarily while their claims are processed. The government says residents will stay no longer than three months.
Despite assurances from officials, crowds of protesters marched through Crowborough waving British Union Jacks and St. George’s flags. Demonstrators voiced concern about the impact of bringing undocumented men into their community, citing prior incidents involving migrants housed in hotels, including sexual assault claims that have heightened fears about safety.
“We say no,” said Sarah White of the Pink Ladies anti‑mass migration campaign. “The community of Crowborough, like communities across the country, don’t want undocumented men in their communities.”
During the protest, chants of “Keir Starmer, traitor” echoed through the streets, and marchers carried signs reading “Crowborough says no!” and “Protect Britain from Tyranny, Listen to the People.”
Tensions escalated earlier in the week when three people were arrested during demonstrations opposing the camp’s opening, including a 36‑year‑old man, a 62‑year‑old woman, and a 54‑year‑old man from nearby Newhaven.
Officials say the move to the Crowborough camp is part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on UK hotels, which currently house tens of thousands of migrants. As of last September, more than 36,000 asylum seekers were in hotels across the country — a number expected to rise after more than 41,000 illegal migrants crossed into Britain last year. The government has pledged to phase out the migrant hotel scheme by 2029.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood acknowledged the strong local feelings but defended the initiative as essential to managing the migration system. She vowed to defend the Crowborough project vigorously against any legal challenges from residents.
