What We Know About the Afghan Camp at Chickerell

Why the site exists

Chickerell Camp near Weymouth is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) facility used as temporary accommodation for Afghans who supported the United Kingdom and are eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

In December 2023, officials said the site would house up to 250 people for up to six weeks while permanent homes are arranged.

NHS Dorset’s service specification (QVV/306) confirms the camp’s transitional purpose and allows for stays of one to eight weeks, with longer in exceptional cases.

What support is provided

The National Health Service (NHS) Dorset specification commissions wrap-around primary care at the camp: General Practitioner (GP) registrations, tuberculosis (TB) and scabies screening where needed, vaccination catch-ups, and mental-health support. A clinical team is present two to three days a week and files weekly situation reports.

West Dorset Member of Parliament (MP) Chris Loder visited the site and described it as a temporary refuge for families who had helped British forces.

Local updates from Chickerell Town Council show community involvement, such as donation appeals for items like suitcases as families prepared to move on.

Wider context

In mid-2024, Byline Times reported that around 204 Afghans were living at Chickerell Camp as part of a wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) network of temporary housing sites across the United Kingdom.

Later, Dorset Council confirmed it had received £1.7 million in government funding to develop permanent homes for Afghan families and other local households in need, underlining that the camp is only an interim measure.

Public safety

Local policing data from Police.uk shows Weymouth’s general crime trends, with violence/sexual offences and anti-social behaviour among the most reported categories. These are area-wide figures and do not attribute offences to the camp or its residents.

A Dorset Police road-traffic appeal mentions a collision near the approach to Chickerell Camp, but this relates to an accident investigation and not residents. Searches of official police releases and court reports have not identified verified crimes committed by camp residents.

Summary

Who is housed: Afghans eligible under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) who worked with United Kingdom forces.
How long: Normally one to eight weeks before moving to permanent homes.
Services provided: On-site healthcare, screening, vaccinations, mental health support, and welfare/education services via the contractor Mears Group.
Community response: Local residents and councils have donated items and engaged with families.
Long-term plan: Transition from temporary Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites like Chickerell to permanent housing funded by central government.
Public safety: No verified evidence links residents to crime; local police data refers to the wider Weymouth area.

We have approached Dorset Police with an FOI Request