Request made for 'unhelpful' local migrant crisis Facebook page to be closed

Adminstrators behind a Facebook page seeking to discuss the housing of immigrants in the Long Eaton area have been asked close it down.

In a post on the 'Long Eaton Migrant Crisis' page, a statement said they had been told that the sharing of content wasn't helping the situation and that the site on the social media platform had been branded a form of "malicious communication."

It said there was an awareness of another local page not posting content about this and had, in fact, removed anything which had appeared.

The spokesperson for the Long Eaton Migrant Crisis page said its position was one which authorities could consider as an open response.

It said: "There is a line between stirring up hatred and informing the public of matters which affect them, which we feel we have not crossed. Derbyshire Police, Erewash Borough Council, Maggie Throup MP, The Home Office, Serco and their partner agencies have done nothing at all to quell tensions thus far, which existed prior to the setting up of this page. One lightly published meeting without the presence of our MP and all named above might imply you've done your bit, but you haven't. Because of this, they are failing in their duties to serve and protect the most vulnerable within our communities."

Previously, Ms Throup was forced to issue a statement having been accused of failing to attend a recent meeting at Sandiacre Parish Hall about the issue, a meeting she was neither aware of nor was invited to, and instead had to stress that she was in fact in Parliament at the time trying to secure a meeting with the Home Secretary to demand that local accommodation centres were closed.

The Long Eaton Migrant Crisis Facebook page statement continued: "Our aim is to have a platform where members of our communities can share their concerns and stay informed as to what is going on. This enables them to make informed decisions, especially in the instances where they need to protect their children. Sharing of certain types of messages is vital in this end. Not even the Home Office knows the background of these men, with many concerning comments about actions daily across all fora. 

The use of the word 'protect' means making informed decisions, which might include walking with children or keeping them indoors. We encourage the downloading of child safety apps which have functions children can quickly use in an emergency situation. We do not promote violence, and we are aware that in psychology and sociology, the lack of guidance and informing WILL lead to a member of our communities taking out a vigilante attack on these men. This is something we want to avoid. Seemingly our authorities are working to this end in neglecting our communities and not promoting the protection of our communities. Therefore, they must do better. You will not make an example of our own. 

There seems to be a shutting down of conversation for the one matter which is affecting many residents in Sandiacre and Long Eaton. We live in a country with a proud history of having attained certain rights, and have a right to express opinions and share our concerns, partularly where they concern Government and authoritarian decisions - else that'd be a dictatorship. 

We do not condone racial comments, and have removed numerous of these already to date."

The statement concluded by inviting the Police, leaders of Erewash Borough Council, MP Maggie Throup, Erewash Sound and regional newspaper outlets as well as partner agencies to a meeting to be organised by the Borough Council to allow members of the public the opportunity to freely put their concerns across in a public manner, and said that this would give the chance for all of the local authorities to sit together and properly discuss how they plan to support members of the public which would, it said, avoid "hiding away or writing statements blaming one another."

However, It fell short of taking a lead in organising any meeting and said that once the measure had been completed, and agencies worked together in the interest of the public, as well as those housed in hotels who are receiving a very good level of support, there could then be a move forward.

The statement ended by stating that, until this was the case, it was the view of administrators, that there was not enough "serve and protect" being done by our authorities. It said: "Let it be known, the first time a child is sexually or otherwise assaulted, this should rest on the consciences of all who are failing our communities - including Maggie Throup MP, individual local Police Officers working for Derbyshire Constabulary, Erewash Borough Council Councillors, and the media who have failed in applying pressure and using their power to ease the concerns of local residents."

Erewash Sound: a response: 'Having had this item brought to our attention by being tagged in on Facebook along with other organisations stated above, our position as a non-profit making community interest company, run almost entirely by volunteers, is that we seek to appropriately, sensitively, respectfully but factually report on issues that are brought to our attention using information howsoever obtained - this is alongside our broadcast licence remit and full willingness to promote social gain. 

As we do not, at this time, have a fully staffed news room, but more so exist with a news gathering, administrational and editorial resource, we would welcome the opportunity and invite to attend a meeting howsoever convened subject to staffing availability.  Where this is not possible, we would welcome any relevant outputs from parties involved.'