'Mass fight' breaks out at Welsh migrant camp as police arrest men aged 25 and 22 for affray and assault

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A 'mass fight' broke out among migrants at a Welsh holding camp yesterday as police arrested two men.

Officers detained a 22-year-old on suspicion of affray and a 25-year-old on suspicion of assault.

Pictures show a large police presence outside Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre in Penally, Pembrokeshire, following the incident.

The former Welsh training camp was chosen by the Ministry of Defence to house around 230 asylum seekers.

But the decision has proved controversial, with dozens of protesters both against and in support of the camp campaigning outside the facility every weekend.

A 'mass fight' broke out among migrants at a Welsh holding camp yesterday as police arrested two men

Officers detained a 22-year-old on suspicion of affray and a 25-year-old on suspicion of assault

Jane Hutt, deputy minister and chief whip, on Friday called on the camp to be closed and described it as the 'direct opposite' to human rights needs.

Ms Hutt said: 'We can be proud of the way our nation has responded to successive refugee crises, providing a warm welcome and opportunities to integrate with our communities.

'However, the decision by the Home Office to use the Penally military camp as a centre to house asylum seekers is the direct opposite of the Nation of Sanctuary approach.

'We believe the use of the camp should end as quickly as possible.

'The Welsh Government has repeatedly expressed significant concerns about the suitability of the camp at Penally being used to accommodate asylum seekers.

'The camp does not meet the basic human needs of people seeking a new life in the UK.

'It places people in accommodation, which is neither designed nor appropriate for long-term use - mainly poorly insulated huts - and risks re-traumatising many vulnerable people who may have been fleeing abuse and torture.

A group of demonstrators last month welcomed asylum seekers who are being housed in an army barracks in Penally, near Tenby, west Wales, following protests by far right groups

The first group of 250 asylum seekers aged between 18 and 35 were moved into the converted barracks last month. The following day a 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence during a demonstration

'We sought a delay to the opening of the camp to ensure plans were put in place with local services to enable them to prepare for the arrival of asylum seekers, particularly to make sure Covid-19 public health measures were in place.

'The Home Office denied this request and, as a result, proper measures have not been put in place.'

Earlier this month police and crime commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Dafydd Llywelyn asked the Home Office to apologise for the 'impractical decision' to house migrants at the barracks.

He said there had been a 'lack of planning, communication, consultation and information' over the use of the camp.

He described the move as 'totally unacceptable' and said it showed a 'lack of respect' to residents in Penally and the surrounding area, as well as local services.

Mr Llywelyn said: 'There has been no clarity on the strategic plan and insufficient engagement to ensure we support and safeguard these vulnerable individuals whilst also addressing local concerns, and I am now demanding that the Home Office apologises to the local residents for their lack of respect.'

On September 21, the first group of up to 250 male asylum seekers, aged between 18 and 35, were moved into the converted barracks.

A number of protests took place at the site, with a 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of public order offences on September 22.

Anti-racism protesters stood outside the camp with welcome placards the following day.

First Minister Mark Drakeford previously said the Welsh Government had not been given a say in the decision to use the site for migrants.

He said a request to Home Secretary Priti Patel for assurances funding would be given to help deal with demands on its services was met by a 'utter blanket refusal'.

Helen Mary Jones, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid and West Wales, told the Senedd a 'strongly worded' letter had been written by the local health board and county council, supported by local representatives.

The Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford asked the Home Secretary Priti Patel to provide adequate resources so the additional people do not overwhelm local services

She said it raised 'grave concerns' about the Home Office's decision, particularly regarding the ability to provide appropriate support to those being housed at the camp.

Mr Llywelyn said he had attended several multi-agency meetings, involving police, the local authority, health board and Welsh Government.

He added: 'It has been left to our local agencies including the police to pick up the pieces of this impractical Home Office decision and I am therefore asking for a direct apology. This way of working is not acceptable.

'I will continue to involve myself and be proactive in these developments to support the local community of Penally and Pembrokeshire and ensure these vulnerable individuals are safeguarded and provided with adequate services.'

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'We were called to a disturbance within the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre at around 1.45pm on Tuesday, 20 October.

'Two people have been arrested, a 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old man.

'The 22-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray, and the 25-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assault. No one was taken to hospital. The investigation is ongoing.'

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