Three people have been arrested after disorder outside a former military site, which is being used to house asylum seekers.
A gathering outside Crowborough Training Camp on Friday was “initially peaceful”, but when a vehicle was leaving the site, three people caused an obstruction, shouted abuse and struck the vehicle, Sussex Police said.
Two men, 36 and 54, and a woman, 62, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences in two incidents.
Ch Supt James Collis said he was aware that the use of the site had “caused concern within the community”, but a small group within the gathering acted in a “threatening and intimidatory manner”.
Collis said the force had increased its presence in Crowborough and the surrounding area “to provide a clear point of contact for the public for engagement and reassurance, which will continue over the coming weeks”.
He added that officers “engaged with lawful protesters regularly” and would “continue to enable the right to peaceful protest”.
“We will not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour,” Collis added.
The site in Crowborough has 24/7 security with CCTV and strict sign-in processes for residents, the Home Office added.