Arrests over incident outside asylum seeker camp

Three people have been arrested after disorder outside a former military site, which is being used to house asylum seekers.

A gathering outside Crowborough Training Camp on Friday was "initially peaceful", but when a vehicle was leaving the site, three people caused an obstruction, shouted abuse and struck the vehicle, Sussex Police said.

Two men, 36 and 54, and a woman, 62, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences in two incidents.

Ch Supt James Collis said he was aware that the use of the site had "caused concern within the community", but a small group within the gathering acted in a "threatening and intimidatory manner".

Twenty-seven men seeking asylum arrived at the barracks this week, with plans to scale up to house 500 as part of the government's "mission to end the use of expensive hotels", according to the Home Office.

Wealden District Council and Sussex Weald MP Nus Ghani have expressed concerns about the scheme, while several protests against the plans have taken place in the town.

Collis said the force had increased its presence in Crowborough and the surrounding area "to provide a clear point of contact for the public for engagement and reassurance, which will continue over the coming weeks".

He added that officers "engaged with lawful protesters regularly" and would "continue to enable the right to peaceful protest".

"We will not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour," Collis added.

The site in Crowborough has 24/7 security with CCTV and strict sign-in processes for residents, the Home Office added.

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