Mixed reaction in multi-cultural Dover

By Lucy Wilkins
BBC News Online, in Dover

After a report by a group of MPs suggests asylum seekers in the UK could prompt social unrest, BBC News Online spoke to those directly involved in the issue in Dover.

Dover attracted 17,000 asylum seekers last year

Afghan translator Safiullah Mansoor escaped his home for hopes of a better life in England three years ago.

Arriving as an asylum seeker, he now lives and works in Dover helping people similar to himself understand their first few days here.

Mr Mansoor fled Afghanistan because of a fear of persecution, but he now faces persecution of a different sort.

While out walking the other day, two young women started swearing at him for no reason although "probably because my hair's black", he said.

He did not react but kept on walking.

"I always try to ignore it," he said.

'Humanely treated'

Mr Mansoor had travelled across many countries over many months usually at night to avoid detection to reach the UK.

We have such a big contribution to make to society

Safiullah Mansoor, former Afghan asylum seeker

When he arrived he said he was "treated humanely".

"It was just the sort of treatment I had expected," he said.

Each asylum seeker is given briefings on life in England, ranging from immigration interviews to acceptable social behaviour.

Mr Mansoor feels that some English people would benefit from a similar course.

"We have such a big contribution to make to society," he said.

'No problems'

His colleague, a fellow Afghan asylum seeker Khaled Hassani, 20, fled his country after his family was intimidated and his uncle killed by the Northern Alliance.

'I am happy here,' says former asylum seeker Safiullah Mansoor

He thinks his parents and two sisters are somewhere in Pakistan, but has not been able to find them. Only his 17-year-old brother joined him in the UK.

Nevertheless he is content here and has encountered no problems.

"I have everything I ever wanted, I am happy," he said.

He can understand why some British people are antagonistic but urges them to be more accepting of general asylum seekers.

With 17,000 asylum seekers passing through Dover last year, some people believe they are increasingly becoming a problem.

They're skimming the system

John, taxi driver

Folkstone Road was once known as "Asylum Alley" because of the number of asylum seekers housed there.

Taxi driver John said his young daughter used to avoid the street after groups of men started yelling out rude remarks at her.

'Successful'

"It totally cut off that street to her, she could not walk down there and had to get a taxi or bus," he said.

He bemoaned the financial support offered to the asylum seekers, saying: "They're skimming the system."

Migrant Helpline, a charity that helps asylum seekers with their lives, concedes there were problems.

Head of development Tony Fuller says cultural differences can cause concern.

Some people bear a grudge against asylum seekers, says Michelle Aygun

"Most of the arrivals are young, single men whose culture it is to congregate in large numbers.

"They have nothing to do and no money so out of sheer boredom they do things like shout out at a woman," he said.

But once aware of the problem, the Migrant Helpline explained what was acceptable behaviour and resolved the situation.

While Mr Fuller welcomes the committee's report, he did not believe there was social unease.

"Many people in the UK don't understand the system. They have legitimate concerns even if they are not grounded in reality," he said.

He sees the inclusion of asylum seekers in the UK as a huge benefit.

"The UK is one of the most successful multi-cultural countries in the world.

"Asylum seekers who remain here bring a wealth of experience - doctors, pilots, teachers, etc."

Shop manager Michelle Aygun said she does not have a problem personally with asylum seekers, but says many people in Dover do have "a grudge against them".

'Negative vibes'

"Some people expect trouble from them but I just see them as humans," she said.

Most antagonism comes from the amount of benefits the asylum seekers receive, she said.

Twenty-year-old fund-raiser David Balchin, collecting for the Alzheimer's Society, said the asylum seekers caused social unease when he lived in Ashford in Kent.

"There were negative vibes between them and the residents," he said.

Like Mrs Aygun he puts it down to resentment that resources are not being used for local people

"There are not enough jobs for local people and it makes my job difficult because people do not want to donate to a small charity if they can barely manage their own problems," he said.

"The government needs to treat its domestic problems first."