Meeting between Chief Inspector Martin Reynolds, PC Steve Mugridge, and Cllr Nick Godley. – 16.08.23
I was able to spend a morning with Martin and Steve discussing matters of mutual interest concerning the Asylum Centre. The police explained the efforts they are going to in order to keep the community safe and the measures in place to respond to any emergency which might arise in the future as the centre expands to its intended capacity. I expressed our appreciation of the efforts of Steve and Oz who are greatly appreciated around the community.
I explained the concerns which many people feel and we agreed that it was very difficult to put peoples’ minds at rest with the knowledge that such a large number of residents are due on the base in the relatively near future. Steve assured me that, at present, the residents show no inclination to visit the local villages and are, in fact, probably more afraid of us then we are of them. They have transport available to take them to local towns but, at present, many of them do not even take advantage of this, preferring to stay on the base. It is the policy of the base operators to discourage residents from leaving independently and there are numerous activities available onsite. So far, as I understand it, no-one has left the base on foot.
It might be worth explaining the procedure for arrivals as various rumours are circulating about absconders. New arrivals at Manston are sorted into groups; identified undesirables who are removed for deportation, vulnerable or otherwise troubled individuals requiring special treatment and the remainder who will be sent to e.g., Wethersfield. On arrival at Wethersfield a significant number exercise their, quite legitimate, option to go elsewhere, usually to stay with family, and leave almost at once. This is allowed and is not in any way irregular but explains why numbers may suddenly seem to drop. Those remaining at Wethersfield are likely to have a good chance of a successful asylum claim provided that they behave in an appropriate manner which, hopefully, should lead to an orderly and peaceful site.
The current occupancy on site is between 100 and 200 with numbers expected to increase towards 450 during the next month or so. When they reach this level, it should start to be clearer whether there is going to be any significant effect on the village.
Please be assured, I remain unhappy about this large facility on our doorstep, remaining of the view that it is an inappropriate location not only for the local community but, perhaps even more, for the asylum seekers, but I do feel that many of the fears which people experience are at least in part unjustified. We, the parish council, will have an opportunity to visit the site next week and will be able to form a better opinion of what is happening and I will report again after that.
I left the police with our thanks for their efforts and with a request that, in any dealings they have with the Home Office, they emphasise the desirability of their adopting a more honest and open approach since the biggest fear is fear of the unknown and, just at the moment, unknown is what we have a great deal of.