Three arrested after two incidents of disorder outside asylum seeker camp

Three people have been arrested after two occurrences of disorder outside Crowborough training camp, which is being used to house asylum seekers.A 36-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman from Crowborough, and a 54-year-old man from Newhaven were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of an offence under the Public Order Act and are now in police custody.Sussex police said the arrests came after two incidents at the entrance to the East Sussex camp on Friday.About 27 men have been housed at the camp, where the Home Office plans to accommodate up to 500 men as it bids to end the use of asylum hotels.Crowborough is one of two military sites the government announced last year it would use to house asylum seekers, along with Cameron Barracks in Inverness in the Highlands.Police officers speak to a man near the Crowborough training camp Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/PAThe move has triggered opposition from neighbours of the camp, and the local authority, Wealden district council, has said it is considering legal action.A Sussex police spokesperson said: “The gathering was initially peaceful. However, when a vehicle was leaving the site, three individuals were threatening and intimidatory.“The individuals caused an obstruction, shouted abuse and struck the vehicle, alarming the driver and passengers.”Ch Supt James Collis said: “The Home Office retains responsibility for the site, its security and its occupants, and we encourage anyone with concerns relating to the site to contact the Home Office in the first instance.”On a visit to Crowborough on Thursday, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, vowed to defend any legal challenge “vigorously”.She told broadcasters: “I understand the strength of feeling but I do also believe that getting out of asylum hotels is absolutely crucial for the country.“We should never have used asylum hotels to house illegal migrants into this country.”