A mother of four has emerged as the public face of local opposition after the Home Office moved hundreds of adult male asylum seekers into a former military training camp on the edge of Crowborough, a quiet commuter town in Sussex. Kim Bailey, 44, a senior public-sector manager, had never protested or appeared on television before. Three months ago, she described her life as “boring” — walking her dogs, working, and raising her family. 

Since the October announcement that up to 600 men could be housed at the camp, her routine has been transformed. Ms Bailey now chairs Crowborough Shield, a grassroots campaign group formed to represent residents’ concerns.

She spends long days at the camp entrance, liaising with lawyers, organising campaigns, and speaking to local media. The group is seeking a judicial review to challenge the government’s decision, arguing that the plan bypasses normal planning processes and poses safety and safeguarding risks.

Ms Bailey told the Daily Mail: “This isn’t about 600 asylum seekers. It’s about a community having a central government decision imposed without consultation, without safety measures, without any assessments.”

The first 27 arrivals were transported to the site in the early hours of Thursday, escorted by police. Subsequent movements suggest the number of residents at the camp is rising, although the Home Office has refused to provide a running total.

Residents have poured onto Crowborough’s streets every Sunday since the announcement, sometimes in their thousands, carrying banners and flags. Many express concern about safety, the lack of planning consultation, and the effect on local children. Some have installed private security measures; local firms report a surge in demand for cameras and alarms.

Longtime resident Phill Straker highlighted the risks to his family: “My grandchildren play in the garden. It’s a fantastic space, but you can’t leave them as you would have done.” Security measures have been increased at homes near the site.

Others stress the distinction between previous refugee placements and the current influx. Karen Creed, 62, recalled Afghan families temporarily accommodated at the camp in 2021, explaining: “There was a reason for them being here. We knew they weren’t illegal immigrants. This is different — all men, unknown backgrounds, no clarity.”

Ms Bailey, whose childhood included time in foster care, has long been an advocate for vulnerable groups. She points to her experience supporting migrant and disabled communities as part of her professional work and insists her activism is rooted in principle rather than politics. 

She said: “I spend my life fighting for people who don’t have a voice. There’s no difference here. It’s the right thing to do.”

Crowborough Shield has raised £93,000 via crowdfunding for legal action, though there is no cap on potential costs,and the Home Office is seeking £35,000 in fees. Ms Bailey and co-chair Alex de Warrenne say their own homes could be at risk if the legal challenge fails.

Despite personal upheaval, including a recent divorce and her youngest child leaving for university, she says the experience has strengthened her ties to the community.

As the legal challenge progresses, Ms Bailey remains the determined face of a town united in concern over government decisions made without consultation.

She said: “This situation has changed the lives of a lot of people. I’ve made some lifelong friends — and we’re not backing down.”