Planning papers acknowledge residual safety risks at Bicester migrant camp

The Government has approved a camp for 1,256 single male migrants at MoD Bicester, near the Oxfordshire village of Piddington. Newly published planning documents acknowledge that security arrangements cannot remove every risk to women and girls, while police and local officials have raised concerns about crime, community safety and pressure on services.

The site is expected to have round-the-clock staff, controlled access, CCTV, security patrols and incident-response procedures. Thames Valley Police and the police and crime commissioner warned that the isolated location and limited infrastructure could increase social isolation, policing demand and community tensions; police also cited possible protests and extra costs. The article says 3,177 objections were submitted, compared with one expression of support.