Thames Valley Police Commissioner criticises plans to open asylum camp at defence base

It was announced last month that the Government planned to use a Ministry of Defence site in Bicester to temporarily house asylum seekers.

Thames Valley Commissioner Matthew Barber said in June: “As Police and Crime Commissioner I have had no direct communication from the Home Office of the plans published late this evening. MOD Bicester is one of three sites identified that will eventually house around 3,750 asylum seekers.


“At a time when we have seen reductions in our expected funding and underfunding of new officers I am deeply concerned about the additional burden that the new asylum camp will place on local policing.


“I have already written to the Home Secretary requesting a meeting with officials to discuss additional resources needed as a result of the Government’s proposals. I have highlighted significant concerns about the implications of policing potential protests at the site, and the need for additional police resources to manage demand both inside and outside of the camp.”




The Home Office said the Bicester site would provide basic, safe accommodation and would be designed to be largely self‑sufficient to minimise any impact on the local community.

Using bases to house migrants is part of the Labour Government’s move away from using hotels as temporary accommodation for people seeking asylum in the UK. The use of hotels in this manner has sparked concern within local communities and led to demonstrations and even riots in some parts of the country.

Planning permission is being sought by the Government department to enable it to use the nearby site in Oxfordshire for 10 years. If deemed suitable, the site would accommodate single adult males between the ages of 18 and 65 who have applied for asylum, the Home Office revealed.

It says that specialist security will operate at the site on a 24/7 basis.

Asylum Welcome, an Oxfordshire based charity, has also expressed concerns with the project. Dr Hari Reed, the charity’s ceo, said: “We understand the government's ambition to reduce reliance on hotels. However, we believe large-scale accommodation on isolated military sites risks being even more damaging than hotel accommodation. It moves people further away from the support they need, makes successful integration harder, and increases the risk of community tensions.

"We want an asylum system that is fair, efficient and works well for local communities. In our experience, this starts by recognising that people seeking safety are future neighbours. The accommodation we provide should help them become part of our communities, not keep them apart from them.”

Mid Buckinghamshire MP Greg Smith said the site was “totally inappropriate” and questioned the impact it would have on local GP services.

Borders and asylum minister, Alex Norris, said in response to Mr Smith that the Government has had “success on other large sites of that not being the case” in reference to local services being overrun.

He added: “Individuals need to register with the GP. But it is our intention for the impact on local health services to be absolutely minimal.”