The first group of migrants have arrived at an army barracks in Kent which has been converted into a ‘dispersal facility’, around 20 migrants were brought to Napier Barracks at 7.45pm yesterday evening with around 10 more arriving just half an hour later.
They arrived at the facility in Folkestone, Kent, in three unmarked taxis. Each people carrier had around six men inside, most of whom wore blue face masks.
There did not appear to be any women among the group.
The taxis left the former military base only five minutes after entering, with final accommodation preparations being carried out until dark.
One of the taxis appeared to be from Crawley in West Sussex suggesting the group had been brought to Napier Barracks from the Brook House Asylum removal centre at Gatwick Airport, however this has not yet been confirmed by the Home Office.
Napier Barracks has been turned into an ‘assessment and dispersal facility’ for around 400 people.
The asylum seekers are expected from today and on a daily basis until further notice, according to Folkestone and Hythe District Council.
The Home Office is also planning to open a similar facility in the Penally Army centre near Tenby, Wales.
Council leader David Monk initially expressed ‘great concerns’ in a co-signed letter with local MP Damian Collins and Sandgate Parish Council leader Cllr Tim Prater.
In a letter to Home Secretary Priti Patel, they demanded she halts the plans after blasting ‘exceptionally poor communication,’ claiming to have been given ‘very little notice of this decision and it’s one we cannot support’.
The letter read: “We have great concerns about the impact this large open camp will have on the welfare of the local residential community and also those people in the asylum system who will be placed in the barracks itself.”
A spokesman for Folkestone and Hythe District Council said: “The focus will be on the welfare of those based at the accommodation, the provision of wraparound services and wider considerations relating to the local area and its residents.
“There will be on-site security and, in order to reduce any additional pressure on local health services, on-site medical services will also be provided.
“Particular attention will be paid to safeguarding and any concerns addressed by the contractor with input from the Home Office safeguarding team.
“We understand that every effort is being made for the facility to be COVID-19 secure and Public Health England is closely involved with the operational plan to ensure the safety of its users and local residents.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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