First asylum seekers arrive at Kent barracks converted into ‘dispersal facility’ where they could be housed for a year
THE first migrants have tonight arrived at a military barracks in the UK converted to cope with the surge in people crossing the Channel. A group of around 20 were driven into Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, which will house up to 400 migrants for around a year. Three people carriers were pictured carrying the […]
THE first migrants have tonight arrived at a military barracks in the UK converted to cope with the surge in people crossing the Channel.
A group of around 20 were driven into Napier Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, which will house up to 400 migrants for around a year.
Three people carriers were pictured carrying the migrants, who were mostly wearing face masks as they arrived at their makeshift home.
A driver could reportedly being heard yelling “it’s urgent” at the drop-off gate.
A second convoy arrived at the MOD site around 30 minutes later – this time with blacked out windows.
It is not thought any women were among the group.
Staff were seen earlier rushing around the site as they made the final preparations.
Workers unloaded TV screens and vacuum cleaners among the row of beds at the barracks.
Police officers were also pictured being shown around the site, which is one of many planned in the UK to house the influx of migrants.
The MOD is currently searching for other suitable barracks – with Penally Training Camp in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, also being considered for use.
The move in Kent has angered local officials, who say that they “cannot support” the decision.
And local MP Damian Collins has lashed out at the plans, saying the Home Office must find more “suitable” accommodation.
He said their “concentration” on sites with limited facilities was “not healthy”.
Mr Collins added: “I can understand why the Home Office don’t want to use hotels, but the question is over the number of people in a single location.”
But the Government has said the measures are designed to save the taxpayer millions on contingency accommodation, with army barracks coming in cheaper than hotel bills.
It also insisted the barracks give “destitute” asylum seekers a “suitable” place to live.
More than 6,000 migrants – including pregnant women and small children – have made the desperate journey across the Channel on small boats this year.
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August alone saw record numbers arrive, with 1,468 people making the crossing in one month alone.
Some were seen sprinting off a rubber dingy and running across a beach in Kent towards some scattered trees this week, having completed the treacherous trip.
Shocking photos also showed French border guards “dumping” a sinking migrant dinghy after escorting it into British waters for UK officials to rescue.
