Politics · United Kingdom · 14 hrs ago
Crowborough faces a year of protests over asylum seeker housing
Crowborough, a town of 22,000 in Sussex, has been the scene of weekly protests against housing asylum seekers nearby.
Several hundred people are expected to be housed temporarily at a military training camp on the town’s outskirts.
Residents and activists have protested against their arrival every Sunday for the past year, with far-right marches also taking place.
The protests mark a change for a town once praised for welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
Flags placed on streetlights have become a visible sign of the anti-migrant movement’s presence, and Mayor Natalie Whittle says they do not belong there.
The protests have deepened divisions in the town, but no next steps are described.
Residents and activists have protested every Sunday for the past year against housing asylum seekers at a military training camp near Crowborough.
The protests have brought flags and far-right movements into the town, according to Le Monde.
Crowborough Mayor Natalie Whittle condemned the movement and said flags did not belong on streetlights.
The town of 22,000 residents was previously praised for welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
- Who
- Crowborough residents and activists from across the region have protested. Mayor Natalie Whittle has condemned the anti-migrant movement.
- What
- Protests oppose the temporary housing of several hundred asylum seekers at a military training camp.
- When
- Every Sunday for the past year, according to the article published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Crowborough, a town in Sussex, England, and a military camp on its outskirts.
- Why
- The protesters oppose the arrival of asylum seekers at the camp.
Anti-migrant protesters
Mayor Natalie Whittle
Asylum seeker housing
Anti-migrant protesters
They protest against the arrival of several hundred asylum seekers at a nearby military camp.
Mayor Natalie Whittle
Whittle condemned the anti-migrant movement that has been sowing discord in the town.
Flags
Anti-migrant protesters
They put up flags in various parts of Crowborough.
Mayor Natalie Whittle
Whittle said the Union Jack did not belong on streetlights and should be on official buildings or flagpoles.
Residents and activists have protested every Sunday against asylum seeker housing at the military camp.
Whittle saw damage to the wall around the war memorial caused two days earlier by a driver under the influence of drugs.
The town was due to hold remembrance commemorations, before which Whittle said there would not be time to repair the wall.
- Population
- 22,000
- Protests
- Every Sunday for the past year
- Asylum seeker housing
- Several hundred people
- Location
- Military training camp on the outskirts of Crowborough, Sussex
- Mayor
- Natalie Whittle
What people are saying
The Union Jack has no business being on streetlights
It belongs on official buildings or flagpoles.