PCC raises concerns over placement of asylum seekers in Grantham
Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones is urging the government to be more transparent
Last updated 8 hours ago
The Government should be more transparent about the placement of asylum seekers in a Lincolnshire town, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said.
Lincolnshire PCC Marc Jones (Independent) has said the Home Office isn’t providing the same information about asylum seekers in Grantham to Lincolnshire Police and to South Kesteven District Council (SKDC). The Government, however, denies this.
Mr Jones told members of the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel that he was “confident” that the police force is doing all it can “with the information it has available” to “make appropriate representations” to the Government.
But the PCC warned that the Home Office isn’t providing the same information to the force as it is to SKDC.
At a meeting on Friday, June 12, Mr Jones added: “The bit where I think it breaks down is the fact that it’s clear to me – and these are my words, not the chief’s (constable) – it doesn’t appear the same information is being given to local government and policing.
“And yet both parties are being told they can’t discuss what they know with the other.
“That’s an intolerable position. It is not in the best interest of our community. It is not in the best interest of those seeking asylum either – because they need to be protected and kept safe while they are members of our community.
“So, having the right information – accurate information – about how many properties there are, how many people are in the properties, what the background information is on the people in the properties – is vital.”
Mr Jones said that changes are needed nationally to ‘timely’ and ‘accurate’ information is made available.
He added: “That is something that we’re working on with local government partners, representations being made to ministers and to others to try to make sure that there’s one version of the truth – and it is the truth.
“Because, whether it’s cock-up or conspiracy, there are definitely differences in the information being provided and that is not acceptable.”
A spokesman for the Home Office denied these claims and said it’s working hard to provide as much information as possible.
The spokesperson added: “We don’t recognise this assessment. Information is shared regularly with all relevant partners, in line with their roles and responsibilities, ensuring action is taken to protect the safety and security of local communities.”
SKDC has previously raised concerns about the number of asylum seekers in accommodation in Grantham and said that the town is taking in disproportionately more asylum seekers than other parts of Lincolnshire.
The council has also called on the Government to be more open and transparent about the placement of asylum seekers and for them to be distributed more fairly across the county.