Calais Jungle migrant ‘children’ pictured playing basketball in Devon village after their arrival sparked fury
MIGRANT children from the Calais Jungle have arrived in a sleepy Devon village – just days after the news of an influx sparked anger among residents.
At the weekend it was announced the picturesque countryside village of Great Torrington was to receive 70 refugee children from France in the coming days.
Locals dubbed the decision “bizarre” after it emerged that the youngsters were to be brought to a hostel on Sunday or Monday.
The children will be transported from Croydon, south London, where they were taken from the jungle camp by a private security company.
The Home Office said they are unaccompanied, vulnerable children – but a source said that most of those expected in Devon are over 16.
It is not clear if the children are among a group that arrived under the “Dubs amendment” which grants refuge to particularly vulnerable individuals, such as those who are unaccompanied and without family ties in the UK.
Dozens of private security guards will accompany the refugees.
On Monday afternoon a group of migrants, mostly believed to be children, were seen playing in the grounds of Beam House Children’s Adevnture Centre.
But locals in Great Torrington, which has a population of less than 6,000, are said to be concerned about the influx of refugees from the Jungle camp.
According to , one community leader said the choice of location was ‘bizarre’ and claimed Government and council officials had failed to consult residents.
Nick Hallam said: “We are a very tolerant, accommodating community, but that is a very large amount of people.”
Mr Hallam, of the Great Torrington Cavaliers fundraising group, added: “This is the first we have heard about it and I think that the Home Office should have consulted the community.
“Fifty to 70 is a huge number. It’s a very rural area and you have to think that there are very restricted public transport services.
“Access to dentists and doctors is very limited.”
News of the decision comes as thousands of migrants prepare to leave the Jungle ahead of its demolition.
Geoffrey Cox, Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon said the move will not be a permanent institution and the hostel will act as a processing centre.
“The majority of the children will only be here for a few days,” he said.
“They will be under 18 and there is no question of anyone over 18 coming.”
Councillor James McInnes added: “These will be vulnerable young people. They will be frightened and exhausted.”
The Home Office declined to comment on the details of the transfer, but added the children were often traumatised and their privacy should be respected as they received support to rebuild their lives.
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