Two arrests have been made at Crowborough Training Camp

Sussex Police have officially confirmed that two arrests have been made in recent days following investigations linked to the Crowborough Training Camp.

The site in East Sussex is a military barracks currently being used by the Home Office to house single male asylum seekers. 

Key Details of the Incident

• Nature of Offences: Authorities explicitly clarified that neither arrest is terror-related.
• Specific Allegations: One of the individuals, a man in his 20s housed at the camp, was arrested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children after material was allegedly discovered on a mobile phone. The images are not believed to involve local children. 
• Leading Agencies: The operations were carried out jointly by the National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement. 
• Official Statement: Local force Sussex Police acknowledged the growing speculation on social media. They stated they will not comment further on the active, ongoing investigations. 

Local Impact and Context

• Community Reassurance: Police have increased patrols around the camp to support the local neighborhood and address safety concerns.
• Site Capacity: The Crowborough barracks currently accommodate around 540 asylum seekers as part of a government initiative to phase out the use of commercial hotels. The Home Office intends to utilize the camp until 2030.
• Ongoing Friction: The site has faced continuous public pushback, including weekly local protests and a legal challenge filed by the community group Crowborough Shield