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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Men’s Asylum seeker accommodation next to school

569 replies

chibcha · 07/07/2023 22:36

I feel quite ashamed by how I feel but want to know if it warranted.

There has been an announcement that a 500 men’s asylum seeker accommodation is going ahead against councils decision (it was overruled on a national scale). This is Stafford btw

It will be butted up to (no gap) to my DCs school and opposite a nursery. It’s not because they are asylum seekers that concerns me. It’s the fact it’a 500 men unit, with many with no known history / criminal records/ mental state.

I work over an hour away and currently my daughter who is 12 walks to the bus etc, she also does after school clubs then walks home alone. Most parents at the school are talking about moving their kids but in reality and logistically that’s not going to happen.

I genuinely feel scared for her safety. AIBU?
Its the location of it that’s wrong and the fact the council stated issues and concerns so refused it but got overruled by the government…

OP posts:
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18
HiKenHiKenHiKen · 07/07/2023 22:38

You’re not be unreasonable at all but you’ll be roasted on here. I would absolutely move a teenage girl or commit to chaperoning here there and back every day.

ejbaxa · 07/07/2023 22:39

YANBU. 500 men, regardless of any background or circumstances, statistically will include some sex criminals. 1 in 4 women has been raped/sexually assaulted - that's by UK men. So, I don't really think it matters where the men have come from, it's a risk.

bridgetreilly · 07/07/2023 22:40

OP, I live very near where the asylum seekers are being housed, and I honestly think you are being unreasonable. It’s right on the edge of town. At the time when kids are walking to Weston Road, there’s loads of people around, including all the parents taking kids to Veritas. I wouldn’t walk alone along there at midnight, but literally nobody needs to.

Swrigh1234 · 07/07/2023 22:43

Everyone’s in favour of open borders for asylum seekers. Until they end up in your neighbourhood.

ejbaxa · 07/07/2023 22:45

Swrigh1234 · 07/07/2023 22:43

Everyone’s in favour of open borders for asylum seekers. Until they end up in your neighbourhood.

The thing is, 500 is a lot of people

dimorphism · 07/07/2023 22:47

Well I doubt you'd have an issue if it was 500 female asylum seekers.

The idea of housing 500 men who presumably can't have employment yet and will be hanging around all day near a school beggars belief. They really don't care about girls' safety.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/07/2023 22:48

It’s 500 men. Without any known history. As pp has said, statistically it will contain some sex offenders.

It’s all very well calling this NIMBYism, but right next to a school is not where 500 men should be housed.

LondonPete · 07/07/2023 22:48

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dimorphism · 07/07/2023 22:48

I would be walking my daughter to and from school or driving her. You won't be alone, you can car pool, you've already indicated others are unhappy too.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 07/07/2023 22:48

500 female asylum seekers (who would likely have children with them anyway) would be fine

Swrigh1234 · 07/07/2023 22:49

ejbaxa · 07/07/2023 22:45

The thing is, 500 is a lot of people

Show quote history

It is. But when there are unprecedented number of people entering the country every day, they have to go by somewhere. Most of MN seems to be for the mass immigration of asylum seekers. They can’t get enough of it. Then why is housing them in their neighbourhoods a problem. Not directed at OP, but in general people cannot have it both ways.

Dulra · 07/07/2023 22:56

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"these people"? Seriously you had to go there!

OP YANBU housing 500 men regardless of the circumstances is not a great idea. They also can't work, are likely to be dealing with trauma and probably don't want to be housed like that either. It's not good for them and it's not good for the town but as others have said where do they go? Every country is grappling with the same issues we have as nations obligations to take a % of asylum seekers but the numbers are just getting so difficult to manage. I don't know what the answer is but I do think we need to remember they are people with lives with loved ones with people that love them. Let's try and be compassionate it's not their fault they are being housed this way.

blossomblu · 07/07/2023 22:59

I live in Stafford.

My DC doesn't attend the school next door, but I used to go there. Didn't actually graduate that long ago and I would have been scared as a student.

The fact they are asylum seekers is irrelevant to me, it's the fact that it's 500 men with little history.

I'd feel uncomfortable having a young daughter walking to school alone.

mcdonaldsfortea · 07/07/2023 22:59

Show some kindness. If you want to move your child then do it. 500 asylum seekers are human beings. They've been through goodness knows what and are trying to make a better life for themselves.

JamSandle · 07/07/2023 23:00

I would walk her to and from school and make clear the risk. I'd also raise concerns with the school who should put measures in place.

VestaTilley · 07/07/2023 23:02

YANBU. That is absolutely not safe and you should oppose it with your MP and Council.

kirbykirby · 07/07/2023 23:03

Swrigh1234 · 07/07/2023 22:49

It is. But when there are unprecedented number of people entering the country every day, they have to go by somewhere. Most of MN seems to be for the mass immigration of asylum seekers. They can’t get enough of it. Then why is housing them in their neighbourhoods a problem. Not directed at OP, but in general people cannot have it both ways.

Show quote history

They should house them in places like Hampstead and Richmond where the locals are relatively well off and council tax could be raised a lot in order to fund accommodation and services for them. Most people in these areas are liberal so there should be lots of support for increased taxes to pay for humanitarian help and increased house building. Instead they get dumped in poor working class areas.

CrazyArmadilloLady · 07/07/2023 23:04

Swrigh1234 · 07/07/2023 22:49

It is. But when there are unprecedented number of people entering the country every day, they have to go by somewhere. Most of MN seems to be for the mass immigration of asylum seekers. They can’t get enough of it. Then why is housing them in their neighbourhoods a problem. Not directed at OP, but in general people cannot have it both ways.

Show quote history

It’s that it’s 500 men. Next to a school. That the OP has an issue with.

Radiodread · 07/07/2023 23:06

Would people feel differently if a large block of eg student housing flats went up next door? Say, capacity 700 with 350 males and 350 females? Or even bigger? Is it because these men have no history ? Most people around you, you have no idea about their history! There are sex offenders all around us, all the time.

Ylvamoon · 07/07/2023 23:06

Can't you go to your MP? Maybe it can be overturned and instead all men they could give the place to families or women only.

I agree, asylum seekers have to be housed somewhere, but it should be done with consideration of their own cultural norms as well as the suitability of the location.

PS: our town has just opened a prison for 1700 inmates. The building is dominering the landscape. Just for comparison the closest local hospital has around 450 beds. And our town does not have a hospital or out of hours care...

Original poster
chibcha · 07/07/2023 23:07

VestaTilley · 07/07/2023 23:02

YANBU. That is absolutely not safe and you should oppose it with your MP and Council.

The council actually refused it. The government overruled the wishes in favour for Serco (who get the government contracts).

Can I state, I am in noway against anyone claiming asylum, which is perfectly legal and they are fully initialled to.

I just feel unable to protect my child safely with 500 unknown men placed next door. It’s a matter of statistics.

OP posts:
PriamFarrl · 07/07/2023 23:09

My town has asylum seekers housed in a hotel in the town centre. I’ve only ever seen about 3 people and I go past regularly. Over certainly not seen gangs of men hanging around.

TheTERFnextDoor · 07/07/2023 23:10

Can you network with other parents are organize one adult to walk them to / from school each day? That way, you'll only have to do one shift a week?

I would ask the school to do a risk assessment

PriamFarrl · 07/07/2023 23:11

Also, am I right in thinking that the police head quarters is there too?

JudgeRudy · 07/07/2023 23:12

Hmm, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that it's OK. Statistically, let's say there are some 'dangerous' men in there - unless they are known paedophiles, children shouldn't be any more at risk than anyone else so being next to a school shouldn't influence.
I think if you don't feel your kids are able to recognise/avoid/report 'trouble' then you need to pick them up.
If these same people were eg next to a church or in your culture de sac would they be any more or less of risk?

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