RAF Scampton: Protestors burn Dambusters flag in shocking scenes as 'violence breaks out' outside site earmarked for migrants

RAF Scampton: Protestors burn Dambusters flag in shocking scenes as 'violence breaks out' outside site earmarked for migrants

WATCH: Judicial review to house asylum seekers at RAF Scampton begins

GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 05/02/2024

- 13:43

Updated: 05/02/2024

- 15:14

There were reports of disorder outside the Lincolnshire base

An investigation has been launched after reports of violence outside an ex-RAF site where a Dambusters flag was reportedly burned.

A spokesperson from Lincolnshire Police said officers were called to reports of disorder at the RAF Scampton in the early hours of Sunday.


There have been reports of a Dambusters flag being burnt at the site at some point between 12 noon and 1pm on January 20.

Then, last weekend, there were reports of men wearing masks forcing people camped outside the base to leave the site.

\u200bProtests outside the base

Some of the protests held outside the former base

GB News

The former base has become a hotspot for protests after plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers were announced. The base was home to the famous Dambusters squadron as well as the Red Arrows.

Plans to turn it into an asylum camp has been met with strong opposition from local residents as well as West Lindsey District Council. Protests have been held by residents as well as historians who have objected due to the site's war-time links.

Prospective parliamentary Labour candidate for Lincoln Hamish Falconer said on social media: "I heard this morning that late last night far right thugs assaulted Scampton residents including a grandmother with a heart condition to try and get control of a camp at one of the gates.

"These people have been hanging around the gates drinking, wearing camouflage, arguing in public about who has stolen from each other, and trying to push their racism on Lincoln.

"They know who they are and so do we, so let me say it plainly to them: you aren’t patriots or soldiers you’re racist thugs. Hand yourself in to the police, take down your banners, hang your heads in shame and get out of town."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

\u200bProtests outside the base

Protests have been held outside the former base

GB News

A spokesperson from Lincolnshire Police said: "The first is a report of a Dambusters flag being burnt at the site at some point between 12 noon and 1pm on 30 January. This was reported online with the reference number 24*69641 and we are making enquiries connected to that.

"Then, between 2.30am to 4.30am on Saturday February 3 into Sunday February 4, we have received a report that a number of people wearing face masks arrived at protest camps based at a number of gates and forced those there to leave, leaving behind their belongings.

"This is then followed by incidents during the day on Sunday where we have received multiple reports of assaults.

"It is unclear the exact times and locations these incidents are reported to have taken place or who may have been involved, so we are issuing a broad appeal asking for anyone who may have been driving along any of the roads which boarder the former RAF base and may have captured any footage of people at the site to get in touch."

The spokesperson added: "We would encourage everyone who wishes to voice their opinions through protest, which is a right we help uphold when done within the law, to do so peacefully.

"There are a number of different protesting groups at the site, and we would ask that they be respectful towards each other, including respecting personal belongings and space."

Up to 2,000 asylum seekers are set to be held at the former RAF Scampton site, with the first cohort due to arrive from April 14 onwards.

Disorder on the site back in October led to several arrests being made. A suspected petrol bomb was also found outside the base.

You may like