The Home Office has been accused of putting children at risk after it was revealed an Afghan asylum seeker arrested for harassing youngsters had been placed in an unlicensed hostel just yards from a village primary school.
The dangerous mishap emerged after the man in his 20s was detained by police after he approached a number of children outside Laleham Church of England Primary School in Surrey.
Parents, who were also said to have been targeted by the suspect, raised the alarm and the man was held under the Mental Health Act pending further assessment at a secure facility.
It has been revealed that officials placed the migrant nearby in a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) without risk assessments having been carried out.
In the wake of the incident, parents accused the Government of putting their children in harm’s way by secretly moving asylum seekers into the village.
One said: ‘This raises serious questions about the safeguards in place and does little to reassure residents that appropriate checks are being carried out, especially in an area with many families and in such close proximity to a primary school.
‘The current situation is untenable, and residents deserve clear assurances that their safety and the wellbeing of local children are being treated as a priority.’
Local MP Lincoln Jopp said it was ‘unbelievable’ the suspect was ‘living in an unlicensed HMO supported by the Home Office, a stone’s throw from a primary school’.
Officials placed an Afghan asylum seeker in a House of Multiple Occupation (pictured) without risk assessments having taken place
Challenging Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions, he demanded to know ‘who screwed up’ and who was ‘responsible for the risk assessment that put him there’.
The Prime Minister said he was unable to discuss the case as it was subject to ‘a live police investigation’.
But he added: ‘Can I reassure him that all accommodation must meet contractual standards. The Home Office work with the police to manage all sites safely.
‘Local authorities are consulted prior to any accommodation being procured and can object to any proposal.
‘Where there is strong evidence a site is not suitable it will not proceed.’
However, the local authority, Spelthorne Borough Council, said it had not been consulted on plans to house asylum seekers at the property.
The council said in a statement: ‘We are aware that the man identified, resided in a House in Multiple Occupation, supported by the Home Office.
‘It would appear that this has happened without the normal risk assessment and communication from the Home Office to the local agencies.
The man, in his 20s, was detained by police after he approached a number of children outside Laleham Church of England Primary School in SurreyÂ
‘The Council has written directly to the Home Office asking for an explanation and an assurance that this will not happen again.’
A spokesperson added: ‘We know this matter has caused concern among local parents and Surrey Police have been working with the school and the local community to keep them informed.
‘We are mindful of some community tension but would ask that people remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigation, and we ask that residents do not speculate or share unverified information on social media.
‘Alongside the police, protecting our children remains our highest priority.’
In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Mr Jopp said: ‘Had Surrey Police not acted so quickly there could have been tragic consequences.
‘It has since transpired that he resided in an unlicensed HMO supported by the Home Office and that this has happened without the normal risk assessment and communication from the Home Office to the local agencies.
‘As you can imagine, my constituents are understandably very concerned about the safety of their children and indeed their own safety.
‘I would be grateful if you would investigate this as a matter of urgency.’
Surrey Police said: ‘A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of harassment last Thursday (April 16) following reports of an individual approaching people outside Laleham Church of England Primary School.
‘Following further assessment, the man, who is an Afghan national, was detained under the Mental Health Act and is currently awaiting further treatment and assessment at a secure facility.’
