Locals living near an asylum centre have been left terrified following alleged sexual attacks on children. There have been five arrests in less than a month, leaving residents too scared to leave their homes. Meanwhile, police have been forced to step up their patrols in the area.

The arrests, including for alleged rape and child sex assaults, have come at the taxpayer-funded Urban House in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Police confirmed two men, aged 24 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of rape while two women, 23 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting an alleged attack on August 5. They have all been released on bail.

Meanwhile, as reported by The Sun, 32-year-old Gabriel Thong was charged with sexual offences against a child under 13 following an alleged attack on August 20. He is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court.

According to a Freedom of Information request, 32 incidents were reported to police from Urban House in the first eight months of this year. It was revealed that six relate to sex attacks and three to violence, with detainees being from Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and Botswana.

The situation has left locals living in fear, with 42-year-old hairdresser Amy Campbell describing it as “scary”. She added that she will no longer go to the shops without her Staffordshire bull terrier.

Dean Wilson, a 73-year-old former market trader, added: “We don’t feel safe now. My great-grandsons were chased by a man who said he was going to knife them. They were terrified.”

Sophie Hargreaves, a 35-year-old mum-of-two, claimed: “One fella would shout he was going to rape the woman next door, as well as animals and kids. I’ve called police a few times. There seems to be no concern.”

Other residents claim to have seen people “openly doing drug deals” while some women said men shout “sexist remarks” at them as they walk down the street. Police have now begun “reassurance patrols” in the area.

The Home Office said: “We will not tolerate criminal behaviour. Anyone convicted of a serious sexual offence will have their asylum claim rejected and we will seek to remove them at the first opportunity. Strengthened safety measures are in place at the site and an increased police presence has been deployed.”

Migrants ‘Terrify’ Locals After Alleged Rape and Sexual Attack – Police Step Up Patrols Amid Growing Community Fears

Residents living near an asylum accommodation centre in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, have raised serious concerns about community safety following a series of arrests involving alleged sexual offences. The incidents have intensified an already sensitive debate about immigration, public safety and the responsibilities of authorities towards both local communities and people seeking asylum in Britain.

The situation has attracted considerable attention after reports that five people had been arrested in connection with separate investigations within less than a month. Police activity around the Urban House asylum accommodation centre has become a particular focus, with residents describing growing anxiety and demanding greater reassurance from the authorities.

For some people living nearby, the issue is no longer simply about immigration policy. It is about whether they feel comfortable walking through their neighbourhood, allowing children to play outside or carrying out ordinary daily activities without worrying about their safety.

The allegations are serious, but it is important to distinguish between arrests, charges and convictions. Anyone accused of an offence is entitled to due process, and responsibility must be established through the criminal justice system rather than assumptions about an entire community.

A series of arrests raises concerns in Wakefield

According to reports published in October 2026, four people were arrested following an investigation into an alleged rape reported to have taken place on August 5.

Two men, aged 24 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of rape. Two women, aged 23 and 28, were arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting the alleged offence.

All four were subsequently released on bail while investigations continued.

A separate investigation concerned an alleged sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13 on August 20.

Gabriel Thong, aged 32, was charged with sexual offences against a child under 13 and was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court.

These cases have understandably attracted considerable public attention because of the seriousness of the allegations and the vulnerability of the alleged victims.

They have also prompted questions about safeguarding arrangements at Urban House and the procedures used to respond when serious incidents are reported.

Residents describe an atmosphere of growing anxiety

The reports have included accounts from local residents who say they feel increasingly uncomfortable in their own neighbourhood.

Some have described changing their daily routines, avoiding certain streets and taking additional precautions when going shopping or travelling alone.

One resident, hairdresser Amy Campbell, described the atmosphere as frightening and said she no longer felt comfortable visiting local shops without taking her dog.

Another resident, former market trader Dean Wilson, expressed concern about the safety of younger members of his family. He described an incident in which his great-grandsons were allegedly chased by a man who threatened them with a knife.

A mother of two, Sophie Hargreaves, also described hearing disturbing threats and said she had contacted the police on several occasions.

Such accounts have contributed to a wider discussion about how authorities should respond when residents report intimidation, harassment or threatening behaviour.

While individual experiences cannot automatically establish a wider pattern of criminality, they should be taken seriously and investigated appropriately.

Police increase patrols to reassure the community

Following concerns raised by residents, police increased their visible presence in the area through reassurance patrols.

The purpose of these patrols is to provide reassurance, respond to reports of suspicious or threatening behaviour and ensure that people know where to seek assistance.

For residents who have expressed concerns about personal safety, a visible police presence may help restore confidence.

However, patrols alone cannot resolve every underlying problem.

Effective community safety requires consistent enforcement, proper investigations, communication between authorities and a willingness to address legitimate complaints.

Residents also need clear information about what is being done when incidents are reported and whether further protective measures are being considered.