Eddie Mitchell A large group of protesters marching on the street and holding Union Jack and St George flags.Eddie Mitchell

Residents have cited safety concerns as one of the reasons they are protesting the Home Office’s plans to house 540 male asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp

Hundreds of people have marched in Crowborough against Home Office plans to house 540 male asylum seekers at a former army training camp.

It is the sixth protest since November, with residents citing reasons including safety in the community.

On Wednesday, the Crowborough Shield residents group requested a judicial review, claiming the plans breach “common law rights to justice and procedural fairness”.

The Home Office said moving people to large military sites was “an important part of our reforms to tackle illegal migration and the pull factors that make the UK an attractive destination”.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

“Moving to large military sites is an important part of our reforms to tackle illegal migration and the pull factors that make the UK an attractive destination.

“We are continuing to accelerate plans to move people into Crowborough when the site is fully operational and safe.”

They added they “would not replicate the mistakes of the past” where rushed plans have led to “unsafe and chaotic situations that impacts the local community”.

A police officer in hi-vis jacket watching a group of protesters marching along a road. They are holding Union Jack and St George flags.

The Crowborough Shield residents group requested a judicial review of the plans

A group called Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol has been set up in the town, which they say provides “visible and supportive presence to promote safety”.

Nick Jones, founder of the group told the BBC: “We’re here to provide reassurance, we understanding just having presence is enough to stop crime.

“We are not vigilantes, we are just there to provide reassurance for the people of Crowborough.”

BBC / Piers Hopkirk A man with grey hair and beard is wearing a red baseball cap. He is wearing a black jacket. BBC / Piers Hopkirk

Nick Jones, founder of Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol, says the group has been set up to provide “visible and supportive presence to promote safety” in the town

A man dressed in a Father Christmas holding a sign which reads "Santa says no". There is a beige and black car driving past him and some protesters on the other side of the road.

Since the Home Office’s announcement, this has sparked a series of protests in Crowborough

A line of people standing on a road and holding Union Jack and St George flags.

The Home Office has previously said its plans to use the Crowborough army camp is part of their efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation