Migrants living at RAF base leave village resident feeling unsafe after wandering around garden at night

Speaking to GB News, Jeff said: "We've had them at 5.30am down our lane. We are down a private lane.

"I've had one random guy wandering around in the yard at midnight.

"We've gone down, chased him down the road, and then found another one come out the bushes all of a sudden.

"You don't know who is around, hence the big dog.

"I shouldn't have to get stressed out going to work, leaving the wife and family here."

In shocking footage, which has been shared with GB News, one man appeared to be breaking an 11pm curfew by walking down the lane in pitch-black darkness.

The man, who is believed to be an asylum seeker, is seen clutching an orange plastic bag.

Another video showed a group of four men walking down the private road.

When asked if people feel safe living near RAF Wethersfield, Jeff told GB News: "No."

RAF Wethersfield, which was used by the United States Air Force until it was stood down in 1993, opened its doors to small boat migrants in April 2023.

More than 800 migrants now live at the site, with capacity for as many as 1,700.

At full capacity, the number of migrants being housed at RAF Wethersfield could outnumber the total population of the village.

GB News also spoke to concerned residents in nearby Braintree as protesters gathered to voice concern about migrants being bussed into the town.

"I've been here 13 years now, I'm originally from London," one man said.

"It's a nightmare. They bus them in on a Wednesday and there's loads of them hanging around the streets.

"I just feel sorry for the women and the kids. I've got grandkids coming up, they're all young, and I don't want them to face this."

An elderly woman, who was asked about the anger expressed by hundreds of residents, simply added: "I agree."

Meanwhile, a homeless man told GB News: "I don't see why they can't put the homeless there."

When a local woman was asked if she feels more unsafe, she quickly replied: "Yes, definitely... I'm just more wary, whereas before I'd move around quite freely, I won't now, especially when it's dark."

A local mother and father explained that they no longer let their children out at night.

However, one woman supported the asylum seekers, telling GB News: "This event actually uses up more public resources than the refugees that they're campaigning against."

The woman, who said she works for refugee charities, also suggested migrants should be given the right to work.

Almost 1,000 protesters marched through Braintree today, with many holding banners saying: "Essex Voices Matter" and "We will not be silenced".

Separate demonstrations have taken place in nearby Chelmsford about the use of RAF Wethersfield.

Braintree District Council was forced to cancel the weekly town centre market because of the demonstration.

The Home Office said: “This Government will close every asylum hotel and work is well underway, with more suitable sites, such as military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.

“The Wethersfield site provides functional accommodation for asylum seekers and is designed to be as self-sufficient."