Around 170 offences have been reported at the RAF Wethersfield asylum accommodation site in Essex since June 2023, according to Essex Police's public crime mapping data. The former military airfield is currently home to around 800 predominantly male asylum seekers, with reported offences ranging from violence and sexual offences to criminal damage, arson, drugs, theft and burglary.
Violence and sexual offences dominate reports
The figures, covering the period from June 2023 to July this year, show violence and sexual offences made up the largest category, with 97 incidents recorded. A further 25 reports involved criminal damage and arson, while there were 11 drug offences, 10 public order offences and eight reports of anti-social behaviour.
A whistleblower who spoke to GB News claimed there had been tensions between different groups living at the site, with incidents sometimes escalating quickly. Describing the situation, the source said: “There have been fights, sexual incidents and all sorts going on.”
Allegations and individual cases
The whistleblower also alleged that fires had been started at the site and claimed staff had faced abuse when dealing with incidents. The claims are the account of an individual source and were not independently verified in the material provided.
There have also been individual criminal cases involving people accommodated at Wethersfield. In January, Yemeni migrant Muqbil Al Dhaheri pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a medical worker and committing an act of public indecency while being housed at the site. Another resident, Adnani Mohammad, was later convicted in his absence of assaulting two security guards.
Government plans and Home Office response
The figures come as the Government plans to increase the site's capacity from around 800 residents to 1,245. However, the Home Office rejected claims that the accommodation centre had contributed to increased criminality in the surrounding area.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Wethersfield has operated for years with no evidence of increased criminality in the surrounding area.” The department also rejected allegations of deliberate fire-starting and abuse of firefighters, while saying that criminality should be taken seriously. It added that it works with local police to maintain the safety and security of nearby communities, staff working at the site and those being accommodated there.
