A Dover resident said her son was beaten up by a gang of men after she spoke to the media about migrants arriving in their community.
Louise Monger, 37, from Aycliffe, told the PA news agency that police were investigating an attack on her 15-year-old son, Marcus, in Pencester, Dover, on Thursday evening.
Ms Monger said she suspects the attack was in retaliation to her speaking to the media about a 16-year-old migrant who allegedly entered the home of her neighbour last week.
It comes as Aycliffe residents met with immigration minister Robert Jenrick on Friday to share their experiences of the scale of migrants turning up in the community and trespassing into homes after landing on nearby beaches in small boats.
It might be a coincidence, it might not be a coincidence but the police have taken this very seriously— Louise Monger, Dover resident
Last week, police were reportedly called to a home in Aycliffe where a man had gone to ask to use a phone after a group of migrants landed on a beach nearby.
Ms Monger said she named her son when she was telling the media that he was the same age as the migrant.
The 37-year-old has been outspoken about the impact the migrant landings are having on Aycliffe residents, saying she confronted the migrant in her neighbour’s home.
“Last night, my son got jumped by 20 Slovaks in Pencester where you have got the alleyway of the doctors’ surgery,” she said.
“I have the police round doing a statement for my son as we speak.”
Asked why she thinks there may be a link between her speaking to the media and the attack, she said: “There might not be any connection at all, but it’s a big coincidence.
“They called him by name, they turned around and said, ‘We’ve got a problem,’ and then all of a sudden they all started, one at a time, stamping on his head – pinned him up, punched him in the stomach, his chest, everything.”
Ms Monger said her son was left with a concussion but no other serious injuries.
On the police’s response, she said: “They are taking this very seriously because of everything that has been happening and we are in Aycliffe, as well.
“It might be a coincidence, it might not be a coincidence but the police have (taken) this very seriously.”
Asked if they are investigating whether the assault might be some sort of retaliation, she said: “Yeah. they are looking into it.”
Ms Monger said the last few weeks have been “scary” due to the number of migrants in their community but she was also concerned that her actions may have led to her son getting hurt.
She said she spoke to the media because she wanted to raise awareness of how bad the situation is and make Aycliffe a “safer” place.
“It just feels like, you know as a parent, have I made things worse for my family with this situation? Could this be the reason why Marcus got jumped?” she said.
Ms Monger also confirmed that she spoke to Mr Jenrick about the incident, adding that he was “very shocked” and “very concerned about the situation”.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police were called at 7.12pm on Thursday 3 November 2022 and it was reported that a boy had been assaulted by a group of people near Pencester Road, Dover.
“Officers investigating the incident are in contact with the victim and have carried out inquiries in the area.
“Anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289, quoting reference 03-1170.”
