Photos by Paul Gibson
FURIOUS exchanges erupted outside the former Northeye Prison site in Little Common on Saturday as local residents clashed with supporters of asylum seekers.
The proposed immigration Centre will house up to 1,200 asylum seekers by the end of this year, which has infuriated many local residents. They made their opposition known in a series of impassioned speeches delivered through a loud hailer.
As hundreds of people gathered outside the former prison’s gates to make their feelings known everything was relatively peaceful until a group from the Socialist Workers’ Party unfurled banners supporting the asylum seekers.
At that point, all hell broke loose with some local residents ripping the banners from the immigration supporters’ hands and ripping them apart in full view of the watching crowd.
Campaigner Dee Connelly said at the gathering: “We all live here, we are residents of Little Common and Bexhill and we don’t want this camp in our backyard.
“We live in a rural area, there’s no infrastructure, no facilities, and we cannot deal with 1,200 single men. These men are allowed to roam about until 11 at night. Can we imagine how this is going to affect our local community? There are many who live here who have young children who won’t be able to let them out because it won’t be safe.”
Brian Setchfield said: “The Government cannot bring the asylum seekers here. This area is not acceptable for anyone to live in.
“The site is full of asbestos. This will create long-term problems for our national health. It’s putting their lives in danger, I’m appealing to the Government this has got to stop, we cannot let this go ahead because the Asylum Seekers Council have to understand, that because the place is full of asbestos, it’s a danger to health. It’s an environmental disaster.”
A pro campaigner who turned up added: “We agree this shouldn’t be open, the Government can stop this happening.
“People think it’ll be like a hotel but it’s not. We’ve seen places like Manston, where people were locked away with no communication and health problems. There’s a lot of division here and division is dangerous.
“Everyone can be here with the same message but be against the Government, not each other.”
A couple who live in the village but asked not to be named, said: “It is an absolute living nightmare. We have barely slept for days since this proposal was announced. We are absolutely outraged, especially as there has been no consultation whatsoever with local residents here.
“This will destroy our community so of course we are angry and bitterly disappointed. Our local MP Huw Merriman should be absolutely ashamed of himself and there was no sign of him coming to talk to his constituents gathered here, was there? Well that is no surprise really.
“We don’t want this facility on our doorstep. It is inappropriate. There are a lot of families living in Little Common and we are worried about our safety and security.
“They are planning to put 1,200 young men in here. They are from different cultures and different values when it comes to behaviour.
“We are worried about clashes between residents of Little Common and the wider Bexhill community.
The proposals say that leisure facilities will be provided at the site for the asylum seekers.
“What? Do they seriously think they are going to play ping-pong all day and be satisfied with that? Of course they won’t. They will be going into town, largely unsupervised then returning here. We could end up as prisoners in our own homes and you can guarantee it will negatively affect property prices once it is in operation.
“We are not going to know their background or whether they have been convicted of serious crimes back in their own countries. What about our human rights?
“Our MP Huw Merriman has betrayed us. He is a disgrace and should be ashamed of himself. He doesn’t even live around here so it doesn’t affect him. He is not supporting us and that is why the Little Common Community is up in arms.
“This is just horrendous. It is the worst news we could have received but we are not going to take it lying down.”
Another resident, who also did not want to be named, added: “So they are going to put 1,200 young men here with no history checks and they can roam freely around Little Common and Bexhill to their hearts’ content all day and most of the evening. That is extremely worrying.
“There is a very real prospect of trouble and as a woman I will feel vulnerable if I am on my own, especially at night.
“As far as I am concerned there will be far too many of them at this site and it should never be allowed.”
Another said: “Would anyone in other areas want them on their doorstep? No of course they wouldn’t. We are concerned for the welfare of young girls in the area who may get hassled and also the prospect of an increase in crime. Remember, most of these migrants are coming from different cultures and don’t necessarily share our values.
“Little Common is a small community and this has been sprung on us without warning. We have had no say and to say we are angry is an understatement.”
An elderly couple, clearly bewildered by the mayhem going on around them, said: “We moved here 30 years ago for a quiet life and up until now it has been but it seems no more if this carries on. We fear for our community because it is all very intimidating.
“The infrastructure in Little Common and Bexhill simply won’t be able to cope with this influx. We are extremely concerned. Little Common as it is now will be completely wrecked.”
Jennifer Morgan, a health worker, added: “I’m still working but am approaching retirement so of course I am concerned. I just want a quiet life. I certainly don’t need this.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Marion Caparros, who said: “It is just crazy. Bexhill is a great little seaside town and we want it to stay as it is. But these plans are totally out of order. I think there is going to be plenty of resistance to it actually becoming a reality.”
As the crowd dispersed, there were dark mutterings about further protests taking place while the Socialist Workers’ Party protesters, who had been subjected to vociferous verbal abuse, had already melted away.
