Wethersfield migrant camp linked to around 170 reported crimes since 2023

GB News analysis of Essex Police’s public crime data has unearthed around 170 reported offences mapped to the former RAF airfield between June 2023 and July this year.

Crimes reported at the site include violence, gang feuds, sex crimes, arson and drug offences.

By far the most common category of crime reported were violence and sexual offences, with 97 incidents reported.

A further 25 crimes involving criminal damage and arson were reported to police, alongside 11 drug offences, 10 public order offences, eight reports of anti-social behaviour and a string of thefts and burglaries.

Essex Police’s interactive map feature shows there were six crimes reported in July alone - drug offences, a burglary and a violent and sexual offence.

One whistleblower has lifted the lid on the day-to-day realities of working inside the Home Office site.

They told the People’s Channel: "There are groups in there who just don’t get on and you can get trouble.

"Between different nationalities, it can turn violent very quickly. At times it feels more like working in a prison. There have been fights, sexual incidents and all sorts going on."

The insider added: "We’ve had fires being started and sometimes they’re being used to distract people. Everyone gets pulled towards the fire and something else can be happening somewhere else on the site.

"Even the firefighters get abused when they come in, they’ve been shouted at and spat at when they’re only there trying to do their job. Staff have to deal with this stuff and it can be pretty grim. It’s not something people outside would see."

In January this year, Yemeni migrant Muqbil Al Dhaheri pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a medical worker and committed an act of public indecency while being housed at the site.

He launched the attack while receiving treatment at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, before urinating publicly during his return journey to the centre.

The following month, Adnani Mohammad attacked and injured two security guards at the Essex migrant camp before going on the run.

Lancashire Police arrested the illegal migrant after he was found guilty in his absence of two counts of assault at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

The revelation comes as the Government plans to increase the capacity of the asylum accommodation at RAF Wethersfield from 800 to 1,245 residents.

Speaking to GB News about the sheer scale of crimes being committed at the site, Tory peer Lord Bailey said: "If you put a large group of young together who are bored, who have access to alcohol and other things, you’re going to have to deal with this.

He added: "You’ve got a lot of men for who the promise has been broken. The pull factor into this country was you are going to come here, they’re going to set you up with money and a house, you could be fine.

"There’s a lot of disappointment in that centre, and it will manifest itself in crime and staff being attacked."

Last month, it was revealed that migrants being housed at the site had been left "irked by the lack of a swimming pool" despite being handed dozens of free perks and shuttle services to nearby towns.

Peter Harris, the leader of Essex County Council, told the People’s Channel he had been left "aghast" by what he saw inside the accommodation.

Likening it to a "holiday camp", the Reform UK councillor explained that the illegal migrants had access to "full-size football pitches, fully equipped gymnasiums, fitness rooms, and an internal sports hall where they play cricket and and basketball".

He added that some were also trained in martial arts, with one asylum seeker informing him that he was an experienced UFC fighter.

Mr Harris also revealed that the dining room was equipped with "fantastic, fresh food everywhere", while migrants could also enjoy "well-laid out" sleeping arrangements.

A Home Office spokesman told GB News: "Wethersfield has operated for years with no evidence of increased criminality in the surrounding area.

"We do not recognise the allegations around deliberate fire starting nor the abuse of firefighters.

"We expect any criminality to be taken seriously. We work with local police to ensure the safety and security of local communities around the site, the staff who work there and those accommodated."