Police write to government over RAF Barnham asylum housing - EUROPE SAYS
In a three-page letter published by West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy, chief constable for Suffolk Rachel Kearton and chief constable for Norfolk Paul Sanford addressed Sarah Jones, Minister of State for Policing. . .
In a three-page letter published by West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy, chief constable for Suffolk Rachel Kearton and chief constable for Norfolk Paul Sanford addressed Sarah Jones, Minister of State for Policing and Crime, about the ongoing situation at RAF Barnham. Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk, who published the letter (Image: Roger Harris)The Home Office’s Asylum Accommodation Team is considering using the Ministry of Defence-owned site at Barnham as accommodation for asylum seekers. Police bosses expressed apprehensions about the suggested timeline for vacating the site in the letter, which they state could have “significant operational implications”. Currently, the site serves as a specialist operations training facility for Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies and other Eastern region forces. READ MORE:Everything we know so far on RAF Barnham asylum house planThe constabularies have leased the site for years and were on the brink of purchasing it from the MoD as recently as June this year, the chiefs said in the letter. Rachel Kearton, Suffolk’s chief constable (Image: Charlotte Bond)Recent discussions with the Home Office indicated that notice was served in April, with expectations for the police to vacate the premises within weeks. READ MORE:Home Office submits application for RAF Barnham in SuffolkHowever, the constabularies argue that a four- to six-month period would be necessary to safely exit the site, secure an alternative location, and relocate crucial training activities without affecting policing capabilities. September was mentioned as a potential deadline for eviction, but the police have called this “unrealistic”. Paul Sanford, Norfolk’s chief constable (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)They have emphasised the vital role RAF Barnham plays in specialist training, which is essential for public safety and operational resilience across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Eastern region, and that losing the facility would disrupt established training programmes and reduce the forces’ capacity to maintain critical specialist skills. READ MORE:Suffolk Police’s Chief Constable Rachel Kearton to retireThe police have also raised concerns about heightened community tension and unrest due to the proposed future use of RAF Barnham. The letter said: “We also wish to emphasise that the decision and associated timescales have already generated considerable organisational concern and we now consider the position to be a critical risk. “We therefore respectfully request that the Home Office urgently reconsider the proposed timeline and engage with us to determine a realistic and achievable transition plan that protects critical policing capability, safeguards public safety and ensures both Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies remain able to respond effectively to any increase in community tension, protest activity or public order demand arising from the future use of this site. ”The constabularies are actively planning for various scenarios and remain committed to maintaining public confidence and community cohesion. However, they have expressed that without adequate time to find a replacement facility, their ability to handle potential public order challenges may be significantly compromised.