Littleport resident raises alarm over suspected migrant HMO near school
A Littleport resident says a house next door, near a school, is being converted into an HMO for asylum seekers, sparking local anger and safety concerns.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A resident in Littleport has raised concerns after discovering that a house next door to his home, close to a school, is being converted into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for asylum seekers.
Steve, the resident, said the property was sold for £310,000 and then builders moved in. He became suspicious when fire doors were installed. When he questioned a builder, he was told it would be an HMO for five asylum seekers, and that the property had been procured by Serco, the outsourcing company, on a five to seven year contract.
Steve said there was no consultation with the community and that the location is unsuitable because it is near a school and on a quiet residential street where children play. He said he felt "very, very angry" and "very, very worried" about the potential risk to children.
The Home Office said in a statement that the safety of local communities is central to its immigration reforms and that asylum seekers are routinely screened before being placed. Serco did not comment.
The story has also drawn political attention, with references to Andy Burnham's past comments about "HMO Britain" and the fairness of the immigration system.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News |
|---|---|
| A house in Littleport was sold for £310,000 and converted into an HMO for five asylum seekers, located near a school. | |
| The Home Office said asylum seekers are routinely screened before being placed in sites. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused on the resident's personal account, highlighting the lack of consultation and the proximity to a school. The channel framed the story as an example of 'HMO Britain' and the unfairness of the immigration system, with a panel discussion that included political commentary on Andy Burnham's past statements.
- “So straight away I started worrying and I said, is this going to be a HMO? And he said, yes.”
- “Very, very angry first and very, very worried.”
- “There was no consultation process. They didn't speak to anyone.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.