Residents of town protest against government plans to host 600 asylum seekers in disused army base

Residents in Crowborough, East Sussex, have staged a protest against government plans to house 600 asylum seekers at a disused army training camp on the edge of town.

The demonstration took place peacefully on Sunday morning, with Sussex Police confirming no arrests. Protesters carried signs raising concerns about safety and a lack of local consultation.

The Home Office said the move is part of a wider effort to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation and apologised for how the plans were communicated. Wealden District Council criticised the government for creating an “information vacuum” which it said had increased community tension.