Protesters challenge camp plan

HUNDREDS of people protested yesterday against plans to house asylum seekers at an East Sussex army training camp, as speakers encouraged protesters to “form patrols” and stop paying council tax.

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Campaigners marched through the streets of the town of Crowborough, carrying signs and flags, many wearing plain white T-shirts and chanting: “Send them home.”

Crowborough Training Camp is one of two barracks set to temporarily house asylum seekers, along with Cameron Barracks, in Inverness, as part of the UK Government's bid to close asylum hotels.

The site, which has the capacity to house 540 men, has been offered to the Home Office for a period of 12 months by the Ministry of Defence. Yesterday's demonstration was the second of three protests organised by Crowborough residents and supported by a campaign group, Crowborough Shield.