Locals have complained that migrants are being moved into their riverside village in ‘secret’ after an Afghan asylum seeker living in an unlicensed £500,000 hostel was arrested for harassing schoolgirls just yards from a primary school.
The man in his 20s was detained by police after a number of children were approached outside Laleham Church of England Primary School in Surrey.
The migrant was held under the Mental Health Act pending further assessment at a secure facility.
It has since been revealed that officials placed the Afghan male nearby in a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) without risk assessments having been carried out.
Parents, who were also said to have been targeted by the suspect, have accused the Labour Government of putting children in harm’s way by secretly moving asylum seekers into their peaceful village perched on the banks of the Thames.
One said: ‘This raises serious questions about the safeguards in place and does little to reassure residents that appropriate checks are being carried out, especially in an area with many families and in such close proximity to a primary school.
‘The current situation is untenable, and residents deserve clear assurances that their safety and the wellbeing of local children are being treated as a priority.’
Local MP Lincoln Jopp said it was ‘unbelievable’ the suspect was ‘living in an unlicensed HMO supported by the Home Office, a stone’s throw from a primary school’.
An Afghan asylum seeker arrested for harassing schoolgirls had been placed in an unlicensed £500,000 hostel just yards from a village primary school in Laleham, Surrey
It has since been revealed that officials placed the migrant nearby in a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) without risk assessments having been carried out
Earlier this month, the Tories accused the Home Office of housing asylum seekers in new areas of the country without proper vetting or consultation.
Andrew Kennedy, a Conservative member of Kent County Council, said there was ‘widespread anger and fear’ over the Government’s decision to place more than 220 migrants in self-catering accommodation around Tonbridge and Malling.
Mr Kennedy warned that asylum seekers are being allocated housing in ‘desirable residential areas’ as part of Labour’s move to shut migrant hotels.
Labour has announced it is shutting 11 hotels around the country with a promise to ‘accelerate’ closures later in the Spring.
Mr Kennedy said he was particularly concerned about the ‘lack of consultation and concerns over vetting’.
Labour has pledged to close all migrant hotels by the end of this Parliament in 2029, re-housing them in flats and houses, as well as in large-scale accommodation centres.
Mr Jopp challenged Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions this week, in which he demanded to know ‘who screwed up’ and who was ‘responsible for the risk assessment that put’ the migrant in the HMO in Laleham.
The Prime Minister said he was unable to discuss the case as it was subject to ‘a live police investigation’.
But he added: ‘Can I reassure him that all accommodation must meet contractual standards. The Home Office work with the police to manage all sites safely.
‘Local authorities are consulted prior to any accommodation being procured and can object to any proposal.
‘Where there is strong evidence a site is not suitable it will not proceed.’
However, the local authority, Spelthorne Borough Council, said it had not been consulted on plans to house asylum seekers at the property.
The council said in a statement: ‘We are aware that the man identified, resided in a House in Multiple Occupation, supported by the Home Office.
‘It would appear that this has happened without the normal risk assessment and communication from the Home Office to the local agencies.
‘The Council has written directly to the Home Office asking for an explanation and an assurance that this will not happen again.’
Locals living in Laleham – a village near the Thames in Surrey with a population of around 2,500 -have accused the Home Office of moving migrants into their area in ‘secret’
Officials placed an Afghan asylum seeker in a House of Multiple Occupation (pictured) without risk assessments having taken place
A spokesperson added: ‘We know this matter has caused concern among local parents and Surrey Police have been working with the school and the local community to keep them informed.
‘We are mindful of some community tension but would ask that people remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigation, and we ask that residents do not speculate or share unverified information on social media.
‘Alongside the police, protecting our children remains our highest priority.’
In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr Jopp said: ‘Had Surrey Police not acted so quickly there could have been tragic consequences.
‘It has since transpired that he resided in an unlicensed HMO supported by the Home Office and that this has happened without the normal risk assessment and communication from the Home Office to the local agencies.
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‘As you can imagine, my constituents are understandably very concerned about the safety of their children and indeed their own safety.
‘I would be grateful if you would investigate this as a matter of urgency.’
Surrey Police said: ‘A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of harassment last Thursday (April 16) following reports of an individual approaching people outside Laleham Church of England Primary School.
‘Following further assessment, the man, who is an Afghan national, was detained under the Mental Health Act and is currently awaiting further treatment and assessment at a secure facility.’
It comes as 602 small boat migrants reached the UK last Saturday, pushing this year’s running total past the 6,000 mark.
Nine boat-loads of migrants were picked up mid-Channel by Border Force vessels during Saturday and brought ashore at the Port of Dover.
There have been no arrivals in the three days between April 19 and April 21, according to Home Office figures.
It also means that since Labour came to power 70,701 migrants have crossed the Channel to reach Britain.
