We live in ‘UK migrant capital’ – it’s one of poorest parts of country & we’re at breaking point with constant arrivals

Next ONE of Britain’s poorest areas has become the country’s asylum seeker capital – leaving locals at breaking point. Hyndburn in Lancashire has taken on nearly four times the national average of migrants per head, putting strain on its services. 10 Hyndburn has seen an influx in asylum seekers Source: Dave Nelson 10 Butcher Clare Melling said the town is ‘in a bubble’ Source: Dave Nelson Advertisement The latest government data shows 423 asylum seekers were being housed there, while only 14 homeless households were in temporary accommodation.

House prices in the former textile trade hub are roughly half the national average – with many being snapped up and converted to houses of multiple occupation (HMO), then leased by the government for the new arrivals. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.

The Sun visited Accrington, the area’s biggest town, this week and found residents in limbo and fed-up with the influx of new faces. Lucy Hardwick, CEO of local charity Maundy Relief, which provides food parcels and other support, said: “We are welcoming to absolutely anybody, so anyone can come here, but to be asked to shoulder a lot more people coming in does not seem at all fair – that does put pressure on local services. READ MORE NEWS VILE 'ASSAULT' Commuters stared at phones as 'Afghan migrants raped autistic girl on train' SICK 'ATTACK' Afghan migrants 'raped autistic girl, 14, in toilet attack on commuter train' “We are a welcoming community, but in five years time I can see cracks growing in that.”

Fishmonger Steve Bramwell, 70, whose family business has been at the town’s market for 150 years, said: “The migration situation is a problem. “If I was from Afghanistan, or Somalia, I would want to live here. It’s the land of plenty.” He continued: “We see our own veterans, maybe with mental health problems, struggling. Advertisement Most read in The Sun BIBLICAL SCENES Megatsunami could devastate US due to unstable volcano, warns scientist TEMPLE OF SECRETS Sex confessions to strip ritual…Mormon rebel reveals dark church secrets JUST THE WURST Price of beer and sausage at 'rip-off' UK Xmas market slammed by locals TERRORIST'S PAD Terrorist who called for murder of Brit troops is 'housed in council flat' 10 Fishmonger Steve Bramwell, 70, whose family business has been at the town’s market for 150 years Source: Dave Nelson 10 The Sun found a number of shuttered shops during our visit Source: Dave Nelson “We should have our own house in order before we open the doors to others.”

He said homegrown businesses are also struggling, and he is the only fishmonger left in the town – suggesting the UK “take a leaf” out of Australia and Canada’s books “where you should be able to support yourself before you are allowed in”. Retired HGV driver Jamie Martin, 73, some of his friends are fostering a young boy from Afghanistan, aged 10 or 11, who’s “a lovely lad”. Advertisement He believes the issues come down to “the benefits system throwing money at people”.

Jamie said: “I have made the mistake of working all my life – but I see all these working age people just walking round our streets during the day. “What annoys me is not just migrants, but why are they not all working. “Somebody needs to sit down and radically change what is going on.” Shopkeeper Julie Hyatt, 63, said with all the extra young men in the area: “I have seen strange behaviour.” Advertisement 10 Shopkeeper Julie Hyatt said ‘I have seen strange behaviour’ Source: Dave Nelson 10 Residents sat on a bench in Accrington town centre Source: Dave Nelson 10 Hyndburn was once the hub for the textile trade – and has many terraced homes Source: Dave Nelson 10 Carer Elisa Hargreaves, 58, says the problems in the town are far more than just the influx of migrants Source: Dave Nelson She added: “I’ve not got a racist bone in my body, but there are a lot of young lads just hanging around at Blackburn Road that seems to be their area.

Advertisement “It’s wrong the Government are now spending more on these people coming in than the NHS now.” At the family butcher’s shop of 70 years standing mum-of-one Clare Melling, 34, said: “We are in our own bubble here. We don’t notice any asylum seekers. “We stuff affordable and it’s the hard-working normal families that make up the majority of our customers.” Carer Elisa Hargreaves, 58, says the problems in the town are far more than just the influx of migrants.

She said: “I’ve lived here for 20 years, but in the last two years I’d say it’s changed completely. Advertisement “The town centre is like a ghost town – with everyone shopping online. “If you do go into town there’s always a fight going on, with drugs rife. 10 Hyndburn Food Pantry supports locals low on funds Source: Dave Nelson 10 Migrants cross the Channel from France Source: Getty “Round here there are always drug dealers on every corner.

Advertisement “There are HMOs on this street – the place over the road was set on fire by one of the residents and there is always police calling at the properties.” Councillor Joshua Roberts, Reform leader of Lancashire County Council, wants the problem of asylum seekers dealt with offshore, not in local communities. RECOMMENDED STORIES He said: “We are more than happy to take people on – Reform and myself see nothing wrong with genuine refugees.

“But asylum seekers should be dealt with offshore – we cannot be a charity for the world.”