Migrants living at RAF Wethersfield have left a local resident feeling unsafe as shocking footage exposes how the asylum accommodation has impacted the community.
Jeff, who lives in the once-desirable Essex village, detailed how he chased a migrant away from his property late at night before finding another one hiding in the bushes.
Speaking to GB News, Jeff said: “We’ve had them at 5.30am down our lane. We are down a private lane.
“I’ve had one random guy wandering around in the yard at midnight.
“We’ve gone down, chased him down the road, and then found another one come out the bushes all of a sudden.
“You don’t know who is around, hence the big dog.
“I shouldn’t have to get stressed out going to work, leaving the wife and family here.”
In shocking footage, which has been shared with GB News, one man appeared to breaking an 11pm curfew walking down the lane in pitch black darkness.
In shocking footage, which has been shared with GB News, one man appeared to breaking an 11pm curfew walking down the lane in pitch black darkness
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GB NEWS
The man, who is believed to be an asylum seeker, is seen clutching an orange plastic bag.
Another video showed a group of four men walking down the private road.
When asked if people feel safe living near RAF Wethersfield, Jeff told GB News: “No.”
RAF Wethersfield, which was used by the United States Air Force until it was stood down in 1993, opened its doors to small boat migrants in April 2023.
More than 800 migrants now live at the site, with capacity for as many as 1,700.
Between 800 and 1,000 protesters gathered in Braintree today
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ADAM BROOKS/X
At full capacity, the number of migrants being housed at RAF Wethersfield would outnumber the total population of the village.
GB News also spoke to concerned residents in nearby Braintree as protesters gathered against migrants being bussed Iinto the town.
“I’ve been here 13 years now, I’m originally from London,” one man said.
“It’s a nightmare. They bus them in on a Wednesday and there’s loads of them hanging around the streets.
Local Resident, Jeff, told GB News about what he has seen near RAF Wethersfield
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GB NEWS
“I just feel sorry for the women and the kids. I’ve got grandkids coming up, they’re all young, and I don’t want them to face this.”
An elderly woman, who was asked about the anger expressed by hundreds of residents, simply added: “I agree.”
Meanwhile, a homeless man told GB News: “I don’t see why they can’t put the homeless there.”
When a local woman was asked if she feels more unsafe, she quickly replied: “Yes, definitely… I’m just more wary, whereas before I’d move around quite freely, I won’t now, especially when it’s dark.”
RAF Wethersfield, one of the ex-RAF bases, being used to house asylum seekers | PA
A local mother and father explained that they no longer let their children out at night.
However, one woman supported the asylum seekers, telling GB News: “This event actually uses up more public resources than the refugees that they’re campaigning against.”
The woman, who said she works for refugee charities, suggested migrants should be given the right to work.
Almost 1,000 protesters marched through Braintree today, with many holding flags saying “Essex Voices Matter” and “We will not be silenced”.
Other residents spoke to GB News while attending a protest in Braintree
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GB NEWS
Separate demonstrations have taken place in nearby Chelmsford about the use of RAF Wethersfield.
Braintree District Council was forced to cancel the weekly town centre market because of the demonstration.
The Home Office said: “This Government will close every asylum hotel and work is well underway, with more suitable sites, such as military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.
“The Wethersfield site provides functional accommodation for asylum seekers and is designed to be as self-sufficient.”