Villagers plead for curfew after ‘rowdy' migrants take over parks at night
Fed-up locals have complained that the Northamptonshire village of Crick has been turned into a 'no-go zone' since a migrant hotel opened last November.
The village, which has a population of less than 2,000, features thatched houses, a marina and its own cricket club.
But residents claim to be too scared to let their children out after dark because of late-night football matches and men roaming the streets.
A protest took place outside the 111-room Ibis hotel on Friday evening.
One villager, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was 'quite intimidating' to be walking your dog and come across 'packs of men'.
The local voiced anger that many had come to this country illegally 'but are treated as guests'.
They added: 'We have a really big problem in Crick. It feels like the whole place is overrun with them.
'They go to the park in the afternoon and play football, sometimes late at night and are always in large groups. They are rowdy and people living nearby can't sleep.
'They've been told to stop doing that as it's a park for children, not adults, but they just carried on.
'We heard one boy got his football stolen on there.'
Community leaders are now demanding that Serco, which is responsible for housing asylum seekers, take a tougher stance on migrants staying at the hotel.
In a statement, Crick Parish Council said: 'The parish council is aware of and is extremely concerned about recent incidents involving the Ibis hotel at Crick.
'Regarding the use of the playing field, the parish council has contacted Serco directly.
'Serco have told us that they cannot impose a curfew, and the residents are not prevented from leaving the hotel.
'Serco have said that they will speak to the hotel residents about using the playing field at night and making a noise.
'It is worth reiterating that the decision to house immigrants at the Ibis was a central Government decision and was not supported by West Northamptonshire Council or Crick Parish Council, both of whom strongly object.'
The council also urged residents to contact police if they witness any criminal activity.
A father-of-two who lives in the village said he was 'worried' about letting his teenage daughters go out after dark.
He said: 'I can understand these people are bored and are waiting to be processed but they're making our lives a misery.
'If I could move my family to another town I would do but I don't think anyone would want to move in next to a migrant hotel.'
Another villager said: 'I see them knocking around regularly.
'They get on the bus and don't bother paying the fare, which causes all sorts of problems.
'The Government has a lot to answer for – it's turning our village into a hellhole.'
Stuart Andrew, Conservative MP for Daventry, the constituency covering Crick, said the safety of residents was his 'highest priority'.
He added: 'I have been consistently raising concerns with the Home Office about the situation in Crick.'
Lib Dem Cllr Rosie Humphreys, who represents the Crick ward, previously said: 'I am in complete agreement with Crick Parish Council's position that the Ibis is totally unsuitable for use as a contingency hotel.'
'Even if the government has inherited an asylum system that is all but broken, with thousands stuck in a backlog without their claims processed, this is no reason to make a bad decision again by reopening the Ibis for asylum seekers.'
A Serco spokesman said: 'Serco is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers on behalf of the Government. However, under Home Office rules, asylum seekers are free to come and go from their accommodation as they wish. This is not a detention centre and we do not run a security operation.
'All asylum seekers are given an induction into what is expected of anyone living in the UK and in common with everyone else living in this country, they are expected to obey the laws of the land.
'Any anti-social behaviour or illegal activities should be reported to the police who will handle the issue.'
Accor, which owns Ibis, said: 'This hotel is an independently owned and operated property. Its alternative use follows an agreement between the owner of the property and the Home Office.'
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