Furious residents set up ‘vigilante’ group in Crowborough amid plans to house 600 adult male migrants in army camp
Furious residents set up ‘vigilante’ group in Crowborough amid plans to house 600 adult male migrants in army camp.
Concerned neighbours have formed a ‘vigilante’ organisation in a community that would host 600 adult male migrants in an army camp.
The Crowborough Patrol will wear hi-vis jackets and red baseball hats as they patrol the town centre day and night.
They intend to be a ‘visual deterrent’ to discourage ‘unwanted conduct’ and protect families and children.
According to organisers, the patrol team would focus on the morning and afternoon school runs before hitting the streets in the evening.
They claim that if they witness any activity that they believe “justifies action,” they will be able to report it and notify the authorities.
Last night, one homeowner referred to the group as ‘a bunch of vigilantes’ and appealed for the authorities to intervene. He stated:
“A bunch of vigilantes with too much time on their hands is the last thing this town needs.”
‘It’s already a powder keg situation, and we don’t need a self-appointed gang ready to ignite it. It is a provocation, and the cops should intervene.
The group claims it has the ‘complete support’ of the local population and has dismissed the vigilante charges as ‘one comment on social media’. It stated that it will not directly intervene in any occurrences, but rather report on them.
The commencement of the patrols is the latest scandal to rock the East Sussex town since the Home Office announced plans to accommodate up to 540 undocumented migrant men aged 18 to 65.
The men, who are free to come and go as they choose, will be housed at the 37-acre cadet training camp as part of Labour’s efforts to minimise the use of asylum hotels.
Yesterday, some 1,500 locals marched through the streets to protest the Home Office proposals. A Crowborough Patrol spokeswoman stated, “Our goal is simple: to be visible and deterrent.”
‘In the next weeks, months, and perhaps years, you will see us roaming around Crowborough, soaking in the views of the hotspots.
‘We strive to be visible during the morning and afternoon school runs during the academic year, as well as as the evening approaches each day.
‘We are not here to confront; we are here as local people concerned about the wellbeing of our town, and we aim to make the difference between unwanted activity and a pleasant environment to live.
The representative stated that all patrol personnel must undergo a DBS check before beginning employment.
Crowborough has a population of somewhat more than 20,000. It borders Ashdown Forest, which is home to Winnie the Pooh.
Until last week, the local Army training camp had been utilised by successive generations of cadet forces from throughout East Sussex. On Thursday night, the final of these cadet groups was told to pack up and leave ahead of a change of ownership.
Today, the 37-acre facility will no longer be used by the Ministry of Defence, and the Home Office will take over as landlord. Weald District Council said it is consulting with prominent barristers to determine what legal options are available to them if the government proceeds with the proposals.
It expresses major worries about the camp’s staffing, police presence, and the impact on health services. Crowborough Shield, a grassroots movement that has challenged the Home Office decision, has already gathered nearly £60,000 to support legal proceedings.
ADVERTISEMENT The camp and barracks were originally used to house Afghan families evacuated during the 2021 retreat from Kabul before being resettled elsewhere.
The camp itself has a historic history dating back to WWII, when it was used by Canadian forces preparing for D-Day.
Residents, particularly those who live alone, say they are placing panic alarms in their houses due to safety concerns.
The Home Office has apologised for how it handled its intentions to use the Crowborough camp to accommodate asylum seekers, but it remains determined to end the use of hotels to shelter migrants.
The Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol stated in a statement: ‘We are a resident-led project founded by people who wish to play an active role in keeping the town safe, inviting, and well-cared for.
Our volunteers give their time to provide a steady, visible presence in areas where residents often feel more comfortable when others are around.
‘Patrol members are identifiable by their trademark high-visibility jackets and striking red caps. Our walks take us through significant areas of Crowborough, including routes used for school runs and early evenings.
‘The goal is straightforward: to discourage undesirable behaviour by being visible, to reassure those who live and work here, and to serve as familiar, approachable faces in the neighbourhood. We don’t intervene or confront.
Our function is built on visibility, quiet observation, and neighbourly support.
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