Reports of suicide attempts at largest UK asylum camp

Self-harm among hundreds of incidents at dangerous’ centre

- HOLLY BANCROFT

Self-harm and suicide attempts are among over 400 incidents recorded at the government's flagship asylum camp last year shining a spotlight on the "highly dangerous" conditions at the site that Sir Keir Starmer tried to shut down.

The controversial RAF base MDP Wethersfield, which has been criticised by Sir Keir and former Conservative home secretaries Priti Patel and James Cleverly, is being expanded despite an ongoing legal challenge amid reports of a “mental health crisis” among asylum seekers living there.

Despite initial plans for the site to house 1,700 people, the base in Essex had its numbers capped at 580 after safety risks were identified including radiological contamination and unexploded ordnance.

The Home Office has now decided to expand capacity at the site, telling the local council last week that concerns have been dealt with and the site can house 800 asylum seekers.

Freedom of information data, seen by The Independent, reveals that in 2024 staff had to report 430 incidents to the Home Office. Staff are required to notify the government when asylum seekers suffer serious injury, accident, or illness, if there is any violent or aggressive behaviour, or if staff safety is threatened.