The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has raised objections to proposals that would see a former Ministry of Defence facility in Piddington, Bicester, converted into housing for asylum seekers.
Matthew Barber submitted correspondence to the Home Secretary expressing worry that the development would elevate criminal activity and place additional demands on police resources.
The initiative seeks to accommodate 1,265 individuals seeking asylum at the Bicester site.
According to Mr Barber, law enforcement agencies should anticipate a rise in offences, particularly those occurring among the asylum seeker population itself.
In his written submission, the commissioner noted that it would be unrealistic to assume that housing such a significant number of single men would not present elevated risks regarding violent and sexual crimes.
He referenced statements made by a minister the previous day, in which it was asserted that protecting public safety remained a primary consideration in government deliberations regarding asylum seeker accommodation.
The commissioner pointed out that this viewpoint did not align with the concerns held by local residents.
Mr Barber indicated that discussions had already taken place with Thames Valley Police regarding the necessity of boosting uniformed presence throughout the surrounding area.
This enhanced deployment would serve dual purposes: providing reassurance to the local community while addressing the anticipated surge in criminal incidents.
He is pushing for the Home Office to meet the costs associated with this additional security provision.
The commissioner cautioned that without substantial supplementary funding, the burden would fall on local council taxpayers and result in diminished police coverage across other parts of the region.
He called upon the Home Office to abandon the scheme entirely.
Should ministers proceed despite these objections, he insisted that full reimbursement of expenses incurred by Thames Valley Police must be guaranteed.
Prior to this, in September, the commissioner had contacted the Minister for Border Security and Asylum regarding the financial arrangements needed to police the proposed facility.
No reply had been received at the time of his most recent correspondence.