Community Impact & Engagement Group – alleged sexual assault – 20 October, 2024

The police are continuing their investigation into the incident that took place in Yarnfield on Sunday 20th October and the MOD is supporting them.

The three U18s who were identified as friends of the Afghan youth arrested by Police, have all now left the Swynnerton site.

Since the community meeting hosted by the Parish Council on 23rd October, and in response to the sentiment and concerns expressed, the Afghan families at Swynnerton Camp have been encouraged to avoid the villages of Yarnfield, Eccleshall and Swynnerton.

The MOD is providing assistance to enable the Afghan families to travel to alternate areas and this will hopefully reduce the number of road safety incidents in the local area. In addition, Swynnerton Camp has repeated road safety education and awareness for all Afghan family members and these awareness sessions will be ongoing.

MOD Staff continue to review the cultural integration training the Afghan people receive on arrival. This includes cultural and social norms, including behaviours.  Daily education sessions take place at the camp, however, the MOD also requests community support to help these families settle. The MOD would like any issues of concerning behaviour to be reported early to enable quicker intervention and a dedicated e mail address has been established.

 SJCUK-LAZURITE-SWYNNERTON-MU@mod.gov.uk

A Community Impact & Engagement Group has been proposed that will provide a forum for communities in the local area to raise concerns and a mechanism to resolve issues quickly, plus identify opportunities for engagement.  Military staff will work with local partners including Parish Councils, neighbourhood police and community leaders, to establish this for the area around the Swynnerton camp.