The Quaint English Village Where Asylum seekers will soon outnumber locals

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Wethersfield, a quaint village about 50 miles from London, is a picture of English tradition. Neatly maintained houses line country roads leading to a small village green, a school, and the historic St. Mary Magdalene Church, which dates back to the 13th century. But in a field just beyond the village, a young man, Middle Eastern in appearance, sat against a hedge, absorbed in his phone. When approached, he startled, scrambling to his feet and fleeing toward the trees.  

 

 

The old airbase at Wethersfield now serves as an asylum camp, housing adult men who have come from countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Many arrived in the UK via the English Channel, crossing in small boats before seeking asylum. Currently, 580 men reside there, with the number set to increase to 800. The government initially announced a target of 1,700 but has since remained vague on the final figure.  

 

 

Before the camp opened, Wethersfield had a population of just 707. The site was originally intended for a prison, an idea met with local opposition. When the plan shifted to an asylum center, villagers were assured it would be temporary. Few believed it. “They’re talking about up to 1,800 people, which is more than twice the population,” said a woman who had moved to Wethersfield from East London. Though she slightly exaggerated the potential number, her concerns were real—soon, the camp’s population could surpass that of the village itself.  

 

The people of Wethersfield remain civil, embodying the English tradition of politeness. They do not express overt hostility toward the asylum seekers. Their frustration is directed at the government, both Conservative and Labour, as well as the bureaucratic inefficiency of the Home Office. Still, they cannot deny that life in Wethersfield has changed.  

 

 

Locals report that the asylum seekers loiter in groups along footpaths and trespass on farms. Some have reportedly defecated on village lanes, and despite government efforts to educate them on British customs, villagers claim to have seen some watching children in playgrounds. Security footage captured an attempted house break-in, and one villager recounted, “One tried to burgle the pub.”  

 

 

When asked whether they feared a rise in crime, the villagers hesitated to answer. In England, discussions on migration and crime tread dangerous ground. Everyone is aware of the past scandals involving mass immigration and crime spikes, such as the infamous grooming gangs that targeted young girls across the UK. However, speaking too candidly can have consequences. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has labeled anti-immigration concerns as “far right,” and under the Online Safety Act of 2023, British citizens have faced legal consequences for blunt discussions on social media. Vice President J.D. Vance even criticized Britain for its crackdown on free speech.  

 

Some villagers refused to talk about the camp. Those who did speak did so anonymously, wary of repercussions. Their fears were not unfounded. One resident, living near the back gate of the base in a house with countryside views, admitted she could not sell her home—buyers had no interest in a property next to an asylum center. “We hear helicopters, ambulances, and sirens all the time,” she said. “They’re fighting amongst each other in their cells.”  

 

When asked if she felt safe, she hesitated. “I’ve got my adult son living here. Luckily, my daughter doesn’t anymore, so that’s good. But our neighbors have younger children.” Would she let her daughter walk alone? “No, probably not.” She didn’t need to explain why.  

 

At the Fox on the Green pub in Finchingfield, the barmaids had been instructed to stay silent on the issue. But Sam, a local customer, pointed the way: “You want to speak to Greg Meat.” Greg, a fifth-generation farmer, preferred to go by “Greg the Egg” and had been a lifelong Tory—though lately, he was drawn to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. He had already attended three of their meetings. “So far, I’ve liked what I’ve heard.”  

 

The conversation mirrored others from migration hotspots across Europe and beyond. From the Italian and French coastlines to the streets of Amsterdam, Paris, and Phoenix, Arizona, communities are struggling with the effects of mass immigration. Across the West, anti-immigration parties are gaining ground, and nations are tightening their borders. The pattern is familiar: migrants are placed in hotels or temporary camps while governments scramble to respond. Once-traditional voters are turning to nationalist movements for solutions.  

 

British asylum law requires proof that applicants face persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or identity. Some asylum seekers exploit this, claiming religious conversion for asylum. In 2022, 72% of applicants citing LGBTQ+ status were approved. Others have claimed Christianity as a means to stay. Liverpool Cathedral has seen so many Iranian asylum seekers seeking baptism that it established a Persian congregation, baptizing over 300 converts by 2017.  

 

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman alleged in 2024 that “churches around the country” were “facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims.” Yet, successful asylum seekers make up only 11% of UK immigrants. The rest come seeking better economic opportunities.  

 

In Wethersfield, villagers remain skeptical. One woman recounted how she had entered the village church and found Iranian asylum seekers preparing for baptism. “They’ve been taken under the wing of a local reverend,” she said. “They’re getting ready to be baptized.” While Iran does suppress Christianity, few in the village believed the conversions were genuine. Reverend Alex Shannon of St. Mary Magdalene declined to discuss the matter, stating, “As a church, we aim to serve all the people of the community. It’s a political issue. We’re not involving ourselves in any public comment.”  

 

One resident summed up the village’s predicament: “If people are still coming across the Channel, either they open up more of these places or they jam more people into the ones they’ve already got, right?” She paused, then added, “What’s too many?” The silence that followed was telling—perhaps she already knew the answer.

 

Based on a report by Daily Express | FP  2025-03-15