Police arrest another nine people after fire at Napier Barracks, Folkestone

Police have arrested another nine people after an ex-army barracks was allegedly torched by angry asylum seekers who faced ‘freezing cold’ conditions with no heating or hot water  

Riot police and firefighters were called out to Napier Barracks in Folkestone on Friday evening, which is being used to shelter around 400 asylum seekers as it struggled to cope with arrivals last year.

No serious injuries caused by the fire, but there was a ‘significant amount of damage’ inflicted on one part of the site. 

A total of 14 people have been arrested, and one man charged, following Friday’s scenes, which followed complaints over questionable conditions inside the barracks.  

The Home Office, which has loaned the site from the Ministry of Defence, insists the barracks is ‘safe and secure’ despite an outbreak of Covid-19.

Police remain at Napier Barracks today after making 14 arrests following a disturbance on Friday evening, which saw part of the former army barracks allegedly set alight 

Recently at least 120 residents reportedly tested positive for the virus.

Kent Police announced today that Mohammed Ali, 31, has been charged with assault by beating, using or threatening unlawful violence and criminal damage.

The Home Office said windows had been smashed and a building had been set alight during the incident.

However, police said on Friday that it would be ‘inaccurate’ to refer to the events as a riot and it was not being treated as such.

Firefighters were called out to the blaze during Friday’s disturbance. The Home Office has been using Napier Barracks to house around 400 asylum seekers, but there are concerns over conditions after around 120 people tested positive for Covid-19 at the site

On Sunday, the Home Office faced allegations from migrant charity Care4Calais that residents remaining at the barracks were living in ‘freezing cold’ conditions.

A spokesperson said: ‘It’s midwinter and we have been told over 100 people are sick with Covid, and there is no doctor on site.

‘They have no hot water to make tea or wash.

‘It is essential that steps are taken to urgently review management of the site and provide appropriate care for those who are trapped inside in terrible conditions.’

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The Home Office is meeting all its statutory duties to accommodate asylum seekers.

‘The Napier Barracks site is safe and secure and we are working with our provider to repair the damage that has been done.’

The department confirmed that following the fire power was lost to much of the site for a time.

Power has been restored to most of the site and is expected to be fully restored soon, the Home Office said.

Food and drink has been available to residents throughout, the department told PA.

Following the scenes on Friday, the Home Office has reiterated that the site remains ‘safe and secure,’ as Priti Patel promised ‘robust action,’ against any instigators

Priti Patel strongly condemned the unrest on Friday and promised ‘robust action’ against the instigators, as she summoned a Gold Command meeting of senior officials to discuss the incident.

The Home Secretary said: ‘The damage and destruction at Napier barracks is not only appalling but deeply offensive to the taxpayers of this country who are providing this accommodation while asylum claims are being processed. 

‘This type of action will not be tolerated and the Home Office will support the police to take robust action against those vandalising property, threatening staff and putting lives at risk.

‘This site has previously accommodated our brave soldiers and army personnel – it is an insult to say that it is not good enough for these individuals.’

She added: ‘I am fixing our broken asylum system, and will be bringing forward legislation this year to deliver on that commitment.’

A MailOnline source said that those found to have been involved in the incident could have it used against them by the Home Office in their asylum applications.