Hundreds march against asylum plan for sixth time
Eddie MitchellHundreds of people have marched in Crowborough against Home Office plans to house 540 male asylum seekers at a former army training camp.
It is the sixth protest since November, with residents citing reasons including safety in the community.
On Wednesday, the Crowborough Shield residents group requested a judicial review, claiming the plans breach "common law rights to justice and procedural fairness".
The Home Office said moving people to large military sites was "an important part of our reforms to tackle illegal migration and the pull factors that make the UK an attractive destination".
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.
"Moving to large military sites is an important part of our reforms to tackle illegal migration and the pull factors that make the UK an attractive destination.
"We are continuing to accelerate plans to move people into Crowborough when the site is fully operational and safe."
They added they "would not replicate the mistakes of the past" where rushed plans have led to "unsafe and chaotic situations that impacts the local community".
A group called Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol has been set up in the town, which they say provides "visible and supportive presence to promote safety".
Nick Jones, founder of the group told the BBC: "We're here to provide reassurance, we understanding just having presence is enough to stop crime.
"We are not vigilantes, we are just there to provide reassurance for the people of Crowborough."
BBC / Piers Hopkirk
The Home Office has outlined plans to use the army camp in Crowborough as part of efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.
Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, Nus Ghani, said: "The concerns constituents raised to me are very valid.
"They want to know, like the rest of us, how the site will be safe and legally compliant."
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