Concerns have been raised in the community over protest marches being organised by asylum seekers who twice within 24 hours have descended upon the seaside town centre of Tenby to vent their frustration at the Home Office over what they describe as bad living conditions at the Penally camp that is accommodating them.

The demonstrations, one late on Wednesday night and the latest this afternoon (January 14) saw the men from the camp (with up to 30 on the first march, and around 40 on the second) chanting “we need freedom...not prison” at times during the walk, with many carrying banners bearing messages such as ‘Covid-19 is killing people close the camp’ and ‘We want a normal life, no prison’.

With Wales currently in tier 4 lockdown, many concerns have been raised by local residents as to why the protest marches are seemingly being allowed to pass by Dyfed-Powys Police officers, with no attempts to stop the demonstrations - with those protesting also suggesting when asked, that there will be more marches to follow.

One resident of Tenby who wished to remain anonymous contacted the Observer after witnessing the first protest march on Wednesday night which left the town at around 10.30 pm, and said: “I contacted the police and was told that they were aware of what was going on.

“How was this large group of people allowed to leave the camp and walk all the way to Tenby. We’re in a lockdown so I thought the rules were that no mass gatherings were allowed and you are only allowed to meet with one person outdoors.

“There was no social distancing and it was very intimidating to see so many of them walking and chanting!” they added.

Another resident living in Tenby took to social media on Wednesday night to state: “This is all we need. If they get away with it tonight they will continue doing it.

“We are told we can only go out for essentials!”

When approached for a comment on the protests, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “Officers are working with the management team on the site in line with the four E principles of engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

“We take all breaches of Covid regulations seriously and will act accordingly,” they added.

Following Thursday’s protest march which saw asylum seekers march along Marsh Road, up St John’s Hill, along The Norton into High Street and Tudor Square, before heading along the South Parade and eventually gathering again outside the multi-storey car park, the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said: “Obviously concerns have been raised about recent protests in Tenby.

“With the current Covid-19 situation now is not the time for protests whatever your opinion.

“Issues relating to Penally camp and the housing of asylum seekers is well outside the jurisdiction of Tenby Town Town Council.

“We have previously stated that we do not believe it is the best place for them to be located and have supported Penally Community Council in expressing their view.

“Given the current circumstances with lockdown it is inappropriate to have protests where people don’t observe social distancing and we would ask that this is not repeated.

“The situation relating to Penally Camp is a matter for the Home Office to resolve and we hope they do it swiftly,” she added.

County councillor for Penally, Jon Preston remarked: “Wednesday night’s walk out will have no doubt raised local anxieties, but despite a wealth of evidence to support the case for the camp to be closed and for the service users to be accommodated within any of the designated UK support areas, the Home Office have chosen not to act.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the Home Office do not have a robust legal case for the repurposing of Penally camp.

“The Welsh Government Counsel General has himself stated that the legal basis on which the Home Office has acted remains unclear. A planning application involving a public consultation remains to be submitted, giving rise to additional concerns over how the Home Office may proceed,” he continued.

“Immigration is not devolved to Welsh Government, so it remains a matter for Westminster Government to address.

“Given that our local MP Simon Hart as Secretary of State for Wales has been largely disregarded by the Home Office, it begs the question, who is representing our community at Westminster?

“Due to the whole process being circumvent of any meaningful consultation or representation, it is my intention to seek support for a public enquiry,” added Clr. Preston.