Protest staged in opposition to asylum seeker plans for air base close to York

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson mentioned earlier than the demonstration that the pressure was conscious of the deliberate exercise and its officers can be within the space to supply reassurance to the area people, however The Press noticed no officers as we speak.

Megan Remmer, clerk to Linton on Ouse Parish Council, mentioned the demonstration was not affiliated in any means with the council and nor did it help it.

“It is usually, so far as we conscious, not affiliated with anybody from the village,” she mentioned.

“Whereas we clearly can’t converse on behalf of each resident of Linton, these we have now spoken to don’t really feel that is the suitable method to oppose the proposed siting of the Asylum Seekers Centre. 

“Now we have eliminated mentions of it on social media the place we will within the hope that it may be saved to a minimal.”

An nameless on-line petition, Cease Linton on Ouse Asylum Centre, had gathered 3,015 signatures by this lunchtime.

It mentioned the UK Authorities had just lately introduced that Linton on Ouse would home an Asylum Reception Centre, holding a minimal of 1,500 single grownup males who had travelled to the UK illegally from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.

“Based mostly on newest electoral figures, Linton on Ouse has an grownup inhabitants of circa 700,” it mentioned.

“Such centres have been closely criticised prior to now, with courtroom’s ruling the location at Napier Barracks and Pennaly Barracks not match for objective, leading to arson, violence, poor psychological well being amongst refugees, suicide makes an attempt, COVID outbreaks and anti social behaviour. 

“Moreover, the location noticed protests by proper wing events leading to a lot of arrests and extra policing. Such websites usually are not useful to both the asylum seekers or the overall inhabitants. Regardless of this, a brand new web site has been sanctioned to open in Linton on Ouse and on a a lot bigger scale. 

It mentioned native refugee charities had objected to the location location, stating a rural space was not conducive to a constructive expertise and will trigger extra stress on asylum seekers attributable to an absence of entry to providers and facilities.

It additionally mentioned the centre can be open door and its residents  can be free to roam. “The House Workplace and North Yorkshire Police understands how intimidating this may be for females and the aged given the massive quantity, minimal 1500, and small village inhabitants, 800.”