politics
Reform UK launches security patrols to 'protect UK town' near asylum centre
A Reform UK council has announced it will be funding security teams to patrol towns in Essex near an asylum seeker accommodation centre. Essex County Council said it will be the first to launch such patrols in Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester, due to its concerns about a former airbase in Wethersfield, which is now the temporary home of about 800 migrants, all men aged between 18 and 65.
TL;DR
- Essex County Council is funding security patrols in Braintree, Chelmsford, and Colchester.
- The patrols are a response to concerns about an asylum seeker accommodation centre at Wethersfield airbase.
- Approximately 800 male migrants aged 18-65 are housed at the Wethersfield site.
- Reform UK councillor Russel Quirk stated the patrols are to 'protect residents' and address 'failed' border security.
- The Home Office claims there is 'no evidence' that asylum seekers disproportionately affect crime levels.
- Migrants at Wethersfield are screened against policing, security, and immigration databases.
- The council leadership is concerned about migrants being bussed into the towns.
- The Wethersfield site was repurposed under the Conservatives and continues to be used as the Labour government seeks to end migrant hotel use.