A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to Dyfed-Powys Police has revealed that policing of the asylum seekers camp in Penally has cost more than a million pounds and taken up more than 8,000 policing hours in the first six weeks after it was opened.

The FOI revealed that between September 25 and November 11, more than 1,000 officers were called to attend the facility for incidents either within or outside the camp during that period.

Dyfed Powys Police said it had a number of officers dedicated specifically to overseeing policing of the camp and the surrounding area, with these duties taking up 8,264 hours of police time in that six week period.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys Police Dafydd Llywelyn said last week that he was pushing for additional funding from the Home Office to support local resources that have been put under pressure as a result of the decision to utilise the camp as an asylum centre.

Following last week’s protests which saw asylum seekers march from the camp to Tenby twice within 24 hours, Mr. Llywelyn said: “The situation at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre is complex and sensitive, and I would like to reassure the local communities of Penally and Tenby, that I am regularly being updated by Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Officers of developments in and around the Centre.

“I’m aware that police were in attendance during protests that have taken place this week, and I was pleased to hear that the protests were peaceful with no disorder reported.

“These are extremely difficult times for all of us. I have seen first-hand the difficult circumstances encountered by individuals that are residing at the centre and I have met with the Chief Inspector of Asylum and Immigration who gave me assurances about an independent inspection that will take place in the near future.

“However, now is not the time to be gathering to hold protests, and I can understand the frustrations of the local communities when observing such activities.

“Officers will and have been acting accordingly when Covid-19 regulations are breached, and I’m reassured that the Force have been liaising with the site management team to educate them of the Force’s four E principles’ approach – engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

“In the meantime, we remain in regular contact with local partners and service providers, monitoring all situations around the facility,” he added.

Superintendent Anthony Evans, Divisional Commander for Pembrokeshire, said that police were further engaging with service users at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre following the demonstrations and were gathering evidence to enable enforcement where appropriate.

“While we will always work to facilitate peaceful protest, we are in very challenging times, and each and every one of us is being directed to comply with laws put in place to protect public health,” commented Superintendent Evans.

“We are in regular contact with management and service users at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre, and have built positive relationships with them and the local community.

“Together with others who are working with the individuals at the centre, we have engaged and encouraged compliance with the regulations to ensure social distancing.

“Following the protests on foot, police have visited the Asylum Accommodation Centre and further engaged with service users.

“Welsh Government coronavirus regulations have been reinforced and we are gathering evidence to enable enforcement where appropriate.

“Everyone is asked to do what we should do, not what we believe we can do, in order to minimise travel and contact with those outside our households,” he added.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru’s leader in the House of Commons has written to the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration calling for an urgent ‘full and transparent inspection’ into conditions at the Penally camp.

In correspondence sent to Mr. David Bolt the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration and the Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department last week, AS/MP Liz Saville-Roberts Westminster leader for Plaid said that the Home Office’s reluctance to divulge ‘key information’ about the former Military of Defence site makes the need for an independent inspection all the more ‘urgent’.