A village in Oxfordshire is facing community unrest over government plans to house 1,256 male asylum seekers at a nearby military base, raising safety concerns among local residents. Piddington, which has fewer than 350 inhabitants, voted overwhelmingly in a non-binding referendum to symbolically leave the United Kingdom in protest against the proposal.
The plan, announced by the Home Office, has drawn criticism from local leaders and villagers who worry about the social impact of accommodating such a large number of asylum seekers in close proximity. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch held a meeting with around 40 local women, many of whom expressed fears for their safety once the asylum seekers arrive.
Badenoch described the village, currently considered one of the safest places in the country, as at risk of becoming “one of the least safe.” She cited concerns over potential criminal elements among those entering the country irregularly and warned that the situation might mirror tensions seen in other communities where asylum seekers have been housed, such as Epping in Essex. Residents reported feeling unsafe in local parks and streets, with some taking self-defense classes in anticipation.
Several women voiced fears about walking outdoors alone, especially after dark. One police officer purportedly advised some residents that their best defense would be to “run and hide” in the event of an attack. Some villagers, including younger residents, expressed relief when Badenoch visited, seeing her involvement as recognition of their concerns.
The planned accommodation would reportedly involve a significant turnover of occupants, with estimates suggesting up to 5,000 men might cycle through the facility over time. This aspect has heightened worries about ongoing security and community cohesion.
Badenoch also criticized remarks from Bridget Phillipson, the Minister for Women and Equalities, who recently stated that “all of us as women in society are unsafe.” Badenoch described this as a dismissive response to the concerns raised by Piddington’s women, arguing that the issue is both an immigration and a safeguarding matter. She called for greater government attention to the villagers’ concerns and contended that no ministers had met with the community to discuss the impact of the asylum plans.
In response, a Labour insider countered that abuse and safety issues affect all communities and suggested that Badenoch’s comments failed to acknowledge ongoing efforts to address such problems at the government level.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones revealed personal safety concerns, sharing that she often carries her keys in hand when walking alone in London, highlighting the broader issue of women’s safety cited in political debates.
The asylum housing plan emerges amid wider national debates about migration, with around 16,300 migrants having crossed the Channel by small boats so far this year—a figure down nearly 50% from the previous year but still a source of significant political and public concern. Badenoch criticized current leadership for what she described as insufficient action to deter irregular migration and manage its consequences, arguing for a tougher approach to prevent creating incentives for further arrivals.
The government has yet to publicly address the specific concerns raised by Piddington residents or outline how it plans to mitigate risks associated with the asylum seeker housing proposal. Local campaigners remain resolute in their opposition, urging officials to reconsider or halt the plans.