Crowborough woman fears for her safety inside her 'own house' as community concerns over migrant camp grow

A Crowborough woman has told GB News she is in fear for her safety as the community continues to grow concerned for asylum seeker accommodation in the area.

Speaking to Patrick Christys as part of a special GB News programme, the woman admitted she no longer feels safe "in her own home".

The leafy East Sussex town has become the heart of the illegal migration debate as locals have protested against the use of their military barracks on weekly basis.

The residents of Crowborough have been protesting for almost nine months, with volunteers now stepping in to patrol the area and monitor any anti-social behaviour from the asylum seekers in the town.

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Speaking to one female resident, the woman told GB News that community groups online have been sharing photos of the migrants gathering and drinking alcohol.

She said: "There has been pictures posted on one of the Crowborough Facebook groups, showing groups of men hanging around drinking alcohol and on the golf course and lots of different places around the area."

The local also revealed that women have been warned not to "walk alone" around the area, due to the activity of the migrants.

She told Patrick: "There's also been warnings gone out to women to say 'don't walk alone', and it's just gutting.

"It's just gutting because instead of it being a place where I've relaxed and unwound, now, unfortunately, that feeling has completely shifted.

"It's a place where I just don't feel safe, including at my own house, which is in the middle of the forest."

The woman stressed that other women in the forest have become "scared" after seeing groups of men gathered there.

She said: "They've certainly been seen in various places on the forest and there's lots of women on the local Facebook groups talking about how scared they felt when they've seen them.

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"Of course, not all of these guys are bad guys, and I'm a very empathic woman, but can I take a chance of being on my own when groups of these guys are being seen, when we don't know really who they are?

"As I say, there may be good men, but we have no idea, I have no idea, and I don't think I can take that risk."

Patrick spoke to a number of Crowborough residents including Marmaduke Devereaux-Astley, who criticised the Government for "throwing us to the wolves" with their decision to house asylum seekers in their town.

He said: "This Government have thrown us to the wolves. No one's going to come and save us, no one's coming to help us.

"We are having to fight back in a David and Goliath battle against this Government because they've treated us appallingly."

In a statement, a Wealden District Council spokesman said: "Wealden District Council understands that the situation at Crowborough Army Camp has caused concern and uncertainty for many residents.

"However, the council does not accept that it has failed to engage with residents.

"Since the Home Office announced plans to use the camp, the council has remained actively involved, seeking further information and clarity on behalf of residents and ensuring local views and concerns are represented."

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