'Boredom could lead to disorder at asylum base'

A senior inspector has raised concerns that "boredom" at a former military base used to house asylum seekers could lead to violent disorder.

The former RAF base at MDP Wethersfield in Essex was opened as an asylum centre on 12 July 2023, with 967 people sent there in the first five months.

The independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal, said a lack of "purposeful" activity was "likely to have a deleterious impact on residents' mental health" and a "heightened risk of disorder".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We take the safety and welfare of asylum seekers at Wethersfield extremely serious.

"We will increase occupancy of the site while prioritising welfare and integration."

After visiting the site earlier this month, Mr Neal wrote to the Minister of State for Legal Migration and the Border, Tom Pursglove.

In the letter, obtained by the charity Care4Calais, he said there was an "overwhelming feeling of hopelessness caused by boredom".

Mr Neal said there had been "no improvement" since his visit on 19 December 2023.

"Nothing substantive has been delivered to relieve, and to mitigate the risks resulting from, the tensions that will inevitably arise when a sizeable population of men is being accommodated in a remote location, with very limited information on what the future might hold for them," he said.

After holding a focus group during his visit, he said "all members of the group were unhappy, and all complained of deteriorating mental health".

The Home Office spokesperson said they disagreed with the assessment and that residents had access to medical and mental health support, and were provided with a 24/7 helpline.

They said: "Wethersfield is designed to provide adequate and functional accommodation for male asylum seekers and is designed to be as self-sufficient as possible, helping to minimise the impact on local communities and services.

The Home Office said there was a security team in place which would continue to grow, alongside regular community policing support.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830