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Police called after group gathers outside Napier Barracks, Sandgate - which is now being used to house asylum seekers
21:04, 22 September 2020
Officers were called to military barracks this afternoon - just 24 hours after asylum seekers moved into the camp.
Police were called to Napier Barracks in Sandgate, near Folkestone, following reports a drone was being flown overhead.
It comes as a group of people gathered outside the gates of the barracks, appearing to confront the people who have now moved in.
Footage of the incident was live streamed on Youtube, which also captured the moment police arrived and took details regarding the usage of the drone.
During one part of the live stream, the protesters approached three men who were walking past the barracks and asked them questions.
Security then opened the gates to allow the three men to enter the barracks.
It was announced last week that more than 400 asylum seekers will be moving into the army camp as the Home Office deals with the influx of people crossing the channel in small boats to reach the UK.
MP for the area, Damian Collins, has questioned the decision to house people in the barracks, and has sent to letters to the Home Office demanding answers over how the site will be run.
He says concerned constituents have contacted him, including the headteachers of two primary schools.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council, who were also initially concerned, have now vowed to establish a support network for the people staying at Napier.
The site, owned by the Ministry of Defence, could be used in this way for up to one year.
A spokesman for police said of today's incident: "Kent Police has received a report that on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 22 a drone was flown in the North Road area of Folkestone.
"The drone is no longer at the location and inquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing."
