In a post on X, Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne revealed the estimated cost for policing Crowborough over the next 12 months is £5.6 million.
It comes after the first 27 asylum seekers moved into Crowborough Army Training Camp last week.
The East Sussex site has been opened as part of the government’s plan to close just under 200 hotels that house asylum seekers.
The camp in East Sussex (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
It will accommodate migrants who are claiming asylum in the UK while their claims are being assessed.
They will only be housed there for up to three months while their asylum claim is processed before being removed from the country if their claim is rejected.
The Home Office said robust safety and public‑protection safeguards are in place at Crowborough, with specialist security on site 24/7 with CCTV and strict sign-in procedures for residents.
All asylum seekers will have been screened against policing, criminality and immigration databases and will have completed initial health checks before arriving, a spokesman said.
The decision has received a polarising response from local residents and politicians, with thousands protesting at the site on Sunday.
PCC Katy Bourne
Ms Bourne has been among those speaking out on the issue, joining a protest march against the camp at the end of last year.
She recently called for asylum seekers to be tagged stating that they will “inevitably” be preyed upon by organised crime.
On Sunday (January 26), thousands of people turned out to support a protest against the camp.
The demonstration marked the 12th in the town since plans were announced.
Protesters took to the streets for the 12th weekend in a row (Image: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)
Many people carried banners sharing messages of opposition to the camp, as well as waving Union Jack and St George’s flags.
One sign displayed in the street read: “Grandparents arrested shame on you.”
Police said the individuals caused an obstruction, shouted abuse, and struck a vehicle, alarming the driver and passengers.
All three have since been bailed, pending further investigation.