Residents of a town said they do not feel safe after they were told in a heated meeting that around 400 asylum seekers are currently living there. Around 80 residents packed themselves into a small hall for a Sandiacre Parish Council meeting to express their fears over a situation which they said was “dangerous” and “getting out of control”.
Residents expressed deep concern over claims that “gangs” of male asylum seekers were forming and intimidating both adults and children in the town, as reported by Derbyshire Live. It was also alleged that a group of asylum seekers had caused a disturbance at a local dentist surgery and were seen using parks and woods in the area as toilets.
The lengthy meeting was held just days after it was reported that the Home Office had taken over the four-star Novotel hotel in Bostocks Lane to accommodate asylum seekers amid the current crisis situation on UK borders. It is understood that as well as the Novotel hotel, the nearby Best Western Nottingham Derby hotel on Bostocks Lane, which links Long Eaton and Sandiacre, has been closed for around two years for the same reason.
During the meeting Councillor Wayne Major, chairman of Sandiacre Parish Council, told the large number of residents in attendance that he was aware there were “roughly” 400 asylum seekers living in the town - all or most of whom were “single men” of mixed nationalities. His revelation drew a loud gasp from shocked residents.
One resident told the meeting he feared there was going to be “big crime” if the authorities could not control the situation. He said: “I think this is the start of something really serious. To me, these people have no respect for women. My wife was walking the dog yesterday (Monday) and there were four of five guys and she couldn’t pass them. She went running on to the road with oncoming traffic.
“I’ve also read that schoolgirls are being intimidated by them – now how serious is that? I’m telling you now, this is going to turn to big crime.”
Another resident expressed concerns that gangs were forming around the town’s Springfield Park and young girls had been approached. She said: “We’ve not been able to use Springfield Park because of the Travellers this year and now residents do not dare go there because there are at least 20 or 30 (asylum seekers) who play football there everyday. And I’ve heard girls and boys have been approached to take their phones off them.”
Another resident asked: “I’m not sure what is happening here. Are these people legal immigrants, illegal immigrants, asylum seekers, criminals? Who is exactly living here and where are they from?”
Cllr Major then responded: “We found out on October 13 the Home Office wished to take over the Novotel. We had grave concerns about this and (in partnership with other councils) sent a letter asking them not to open a second contingency centre in our town. One (Best Western Hotel) was difficult enough but two was obviously outrageous. The Best Western are all single men who have crossed the channel. At one stage the Novotel was meant to be families but it isn’t, it is all single men."
It was heard police were requested to attend the meeting but did not. The town’s MP Maggie Throup was not in attendance. This drew criticism from some residents.
Another resident described the situation as “dangerous”. He said: “Tensions have built up so much it has got people to come out and all come together. For their safety, as well as the safety of our children – this is a tinder box. This could go off so easily and so fast and we need an urgent response to it. I’m disgusted the police are not here – I’m telling you one PSCO will do **** all.”
It was heard that police are planning a special event for residents to discuss concerns but this is yet to be confirmed.
Another resident said he had captured video footage of twelve men walking around “wielding bats and sticks”. He argued the change of use for the Novotel hotel was "illegal" and urged residents to start obtaining evidence to put pressure on local councils.
However, deep into the meeting when a resident suggested a way of helping the asylum seekers by “arranging English classes”, all of the residents then suddenly left the meeting. Like a line of falling dominoes, as soon as one left they all departed from the meeting. One resident was heard saying: “That’s my queue to leave”.
Cllr Major told residents Sandiacre Parish Council was in discussions with partners about the situation and would make them aware of residents concerns but stressed “there was little the parish council can do”. He urged residents to call police of concerns as many allegations seen on Facebook had not been reported to police.
In a statement made on Wednesday morning Sandiacre MP Maggie Throup has stated she was not informed of the parish council meeting in which dozens of residents expressed their fears and worries.
The Erewash MP said she was in Parliament at the time in the hope of securing a meeting "to demand that these accommodation centres close down ASAP".
The statement in full reads: "Contrary to posts online, I neither knew nor was invited to the meeting about Home Office Accommodation Centres which took place last night (Tuesday) at Sandiacre Memorial Hall. I also refute many of the things attributed to me by a minority of people determined to whip up trouble for purely political purposes, rather than solving the issue.
"What is true, is that I was in Parliament last night trying to secure an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary to demand that these accommodation centres close down ASAP.
"I am also investigating what more Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, as statutory consultees, can do to bring this matter to a swift conclusion, including the possibility of legal action.
"In addition, I have personally written to all residents living in the vicinity of Bostocks Lane with full details of my actions, which should be received by the end of the week.
"Finally, it is vital that ALL instances of criminal activity, including anti-social behaviour, intimidation and sexual harassment should be immediately reported to the Police on either 101 or 999."
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