Community Patrol Forms in Crowborough Amid Asylum Seeker Housing at Former Military Site

In the East Sussex town of Crowborough, a resident-led group called Crowborough Aware has grown to 81 volunteers who conduct regular street patrols. The initiative emerged in response to the UK government’s decision to house hundreds of single adult male asylum seekers at the nearby Crowborough Training Camp, a former military site.

Background on the Asylum Accommodation

•  The Home Office began moving asylum seekers to the site on 22 January 2026, with the first group of 27 men arriving in the early hours.

•  The facility is designed for up to 540 asylum seekers (often rounded to around 500 in reports), implemented on a phased basis. As of recent reports, numbers have reached around 350.

•  The site provides basic, self-sufficient accommodation and serves as temporary housing (typically up to 3 months) while claims are processed. It was previously used for the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

•  This move forms part of broader government efforts to reduce reliance on expensive hotel accommodations for asylum seekers.

The camp lies on the outskirts of Crowborough, a town with a population of roughly 20,000–25,000. Local concerns center on the scale of the intake relative to the town’s size, resources, policing levels, and potential impacts on community safety.

Formation of the Volunteer Patrol

Crowborough Aware formed earlier in 2026 as a visible community presence in response to safety fears linked to the site. Key details include:

•  81 volunteers — all reportedly undergone official security checks.

•  Patrols occur three times a day, seven days a week.

•  The group describes itself as a deterrent and a reassuring presence for residents, reporting incidents to police rather than acting as law enforcement.

•  Tensions escalated after an incident on 29 April 2026, where six men from the site allegedly surrounded and intimidated a local resident. Sussex Police subsequently increased patrols.

Volunteers wear hi-vis vests and aim to provide “safety and security” through visibility. Supporters view the patrols as a necessary community response in the absence of sufficient official measures.

Local Reactions and Broader Context

The decision sparked significant protests, with thousands marching in January 2026 and ongoing demonstrations. Groups like Crowborough Says No and Crowborough Shield have challenged the plans legally and publicly, citing lack of consultation and suitability for the town.

Counter-efforts exist, including pro-migrant volunteer networks (over 150 people in some reports) providing support to asylum seekers, alongside accusations of division and threats against helpers.

The Home Office emphasizes robust security, screening, on-site measures, and close work with Sussex Police to maintain safety and community cohesion. Asylum seekers are encouraged to remain on site for services where possible.

Critics of the patrols argue they risk stigmatizing asylum seekers, while supporters maintain they address genuine local worries about unvetted arrivals in a small community.

This situation reflects wider UK debates over asylum accommodation, migration policy, and local impacts of central government decisions. Crowborough remains a focal point, with the volunteer patrols continuing as the site operates at partial capacity.