Portsmouth residents are raising serious concerns about the ‘Council of Sanctuary’ status.

This initiative, introduced without ANY public consultation, is not only a dangerous precedent in itself, but has also left many feeling that the decision was imposed without ANY democratic input. 

Residents also argue that it is already having significant consequences for local housing, public safety & overstretched services.

The city is under considerable pressure, with over 2,200 people currently on the social housing waiting list. Many lifelong residents & families continue to struggle to access both permanent & temporary accommodation. The addition of further pressure under the Council of Sanctuary scheme has, in the view of many, placed additional strain on an already limited housing supply.

Public safety has also become a growing concern. Residents have reported increased instances of harassment & threatening behaviour, which has left many – particularly women & children – feeling unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.

A particularly troubling incident involved damage to the Southsea Rock Gardens, where koi carp were reportedly taken & killed by individuals temporarily housed in the Royal Beach hotel.

The situation has escalated even further recently, following the widely reported case of a 20-year-old local woman who was ‘allegedly’ raped by a 25-year-old man being housed in the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea - while AWAITING an ASYLUM CLAIM DECISION. This incident has intensified fears within the community & reinforced concerns that the sanctuary status IS placing residents, especially vulnerable groups, at risk.

Many residents now believe that the Council must urgently abolish its designation as a Council of Sanctuary & FOR ONCE prioritise the safety, housing needs & well-being of local people. There MUST be genuine democratic involvement before further commitments of this nature are ever made again.

One Koi Carp should have been enough, One local girl attacked (that we know about) definitely IS enough.