RAF Scampton: Police investigate damage and verbal abuse reports

Home Office plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the Lincolnshire site have met with strong opposition

Reports of criminal damage at a former Lincolnshire airbase earmarked as a site for asylum seekers are being investigated by police.

A padlock on an RAF Scampton gate was glued shut on Saturday, preventing access. A worker on the site was also reportedly verbally abused on Sunday.

The Home Office plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the base.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said the padlock incident was being treated as criminal damage.

Officers also said they were working to establish the identity of the person said to have verbally abused a worker.

Police described the man as white, about 5ft, with a shaved head and carrying a union flag.

'Lawful protest'

On Monday, officers responded to further reports of a protester being abusive to staff and walking in front of vehicles.

The force said it had a duty "to uphold the right to lawful protest", but would not tolerate criminal behaviour.

The Home Office previously described claims the first asylum seekers would arrive at the base this week as "inaccurate".

Earlier, contractors were seen erecting a fence between the site and the neighbouring primary school, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) has previously formally ordered the Home Office to cease all works on the site.

Last week, police said they were increasing patrols after a suspected petrol bomb was found near the perimeter fence on Tuesday.

Contractors were seen on Monday erecting a fence between the site and the neighbouring primary school

The government's plan to convert the former home of the Red Arrows and wartime Dambusters squadron into an asylum camp has been met with strong opposition from local residents as well as WLDC.

Campaigners have staged a number of protests over the plans for the ex-RAF station, and historians have objected due to the site's wartime links.