An Afghan asylum seeker has been arrested after allegedly harassing girl pupils and parents at a primary school in Surrey, where he had been placed in a hostel near the school.
The migrant, in his early 20s and believed to have mental health issues, was arrested weeks after being moved into a riverside village in Surrey, according to multiple reports. He had been repeatedly appearing outside Laleham Church of England Primary School, standing at the school during pick-up and drop-off times, leaning against the wall, parents said. According to Daily Mail - News, mother Rebecca described the migrant as aggressive and abusive towards women who spoke to him. She said he would stand at the school during pick-up and drop-off times, leaning against the wall, and was seen peering over the fence into the school. Another father, Carl, also reported seeing the migrant peering over the fence. The migrant allegedly spat at a group of parents who rebuked him. According to Daily Mail - News, the migrant told parents: 'I'm allowed to stand where I want - I paid £3,000 to be here.'
I'm allowed to stand where I want - I paid £3,000 to be here.
The migrant is in his early 20s and is believed to have mental health issues, according to unattributed reports. His full identity and asylum status have not been confirmed, nor whether he was formally diagnosed with mental health issues.
The controversy over the placement of asylum seekers near the school has sparked local anger. A businessman bought a £500,000 three-bedroom cottage next to Laleham's war memorial and turned it into a six-roomed hostel for male migrants, according to multiple reports. Residents and local councillors said they knew nothing about placing asylum seekers in the HMO 200 yards from the primary school, according to residents and local councillors. The Home Office has not commented on the placement.
I was with a group of mothers when one went to speak to him and ask him what he was doing. He became abusive and he told her 'I'm allowed to stand where I want. I paid £3,000 to be here.' It sounded like a joke when he said it. He was suggesting he had the right to do whatever he chooses as he had paid the money to come to this country. He went on saying 'I live here. I'm relaxing'.
Surrey Police have not disclosed the specific charges on which the migrant was arrested, and it is unclear whether any official reports or complaints were filed before the arrest.
He was hanging around the school all the time. When it was pick up and drop off time he would be waiting there, leaning against the wall. He would stand in the same place as if he was waiting for someone to pick him up. Parents started to panic. He was aggressive when you spoke to him if you were a woman. He would react angrily and be abusive.
I knew he knew where we lived. He had watched me and the kids walk home so many times. I knew he had watched me and my husband in his car.
My husband was with another dad who went to talk to the school about it. When he was leaving he saw the man standing there peering over the fence looking into the school. They went to speak to him about it and he said nothing and went back to the hostel. It was only women he got angry with.