Arrest at Crowborough Training Camp
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed the arrest of a man in his 20s on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children at the Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex. The facility is currently housing around 540 male asylum seekers under a Home Office contract.
The alleged material was found on the man's phone. The arrest took place on July 10, according to the NCA, which added: “It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.” A source said the man had been spoken to about his bail conditions, but those details have not been released.
Local frustration and lack of transparency
The Daily Express understands that local residents had grown increasingly frustrated with the Home Office's handling of the incident after rumours began circulating. The images are not related to children in Crowborough.
Crowborough Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Bucklitsch told the Daily Express that the council had to seek clarifications from the NCA after being met with "dismissive responses and a failure to engage meaningfully" by the Home Office. He said: "I am angry and deeply frustrated that Crowborough has once again been let down (by the Home Office)."
Community concerns and political reaction
Bucklitsch added: "Our residents have every right to expect that when a serious incident occurs at the army camp, their elected representatives will receive sufficient information to reassure the public and respond to legitimate concerns. Instead, we have been met with dismissive responses and a failure to engage meaningfully with our community."
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the incident, telling the Express: "Almost 2,000 illegals have crossed since Burnham came to power 11 days ago. How many sex offenders will be amongst them? This is a national emergency and has been for a very long time."
Bucklitsch said a statement had been withheld until the NCA response was obtained by the Daily Express. He stressed that they were not asking for operational details, but simply confirmation of the incident to reassure residents and prevent speculation. "Time and again we have been told that engagement with the community is a priority, yet when significant events take place, those commitments appear to count for very little. That is simply not good enough," he said.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
