Serco, the Home Office contractor responsible for asylum accommodation, has launched an investigation after self-described “English nationalist” content creators gained access to a property housing asylum seekers in Leicestershire and filmed the interior for social media, according to The Guardian.
The video, posted to the Truthhurts101UK YouTube channel and shared on X where it accumulated more than 300,000 views, shows three men entering the house through an unlocked back door. The footage documents them moving through multiple rooms, including the kitchen, where they examined the contents of the fridge and searched through correspondence near the front entrance.
Throughout the recording, the men claim they are looking for “paperwork” while presenting themselves as contractors sent to assess repair needs. When they encountered three residents believed to be asylum seekers in the kitchen, they asked whether Serco managed the property, which one resident confirmed. The man filming briefly displayed a lanyard when asked for identification, though its contents remain unclear.
Property location revealed online
The footage specifically names the street and village where the house is located, with clear exterior shots making the property easily identifiable. The video, titled “HMO Hunting in Leicestershire”, refers to houses of multiple occupancy, which the government increasingly uses as it phases out hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
A Serco spokesperson told The Guardian: “We are aware of this post. We take issues of this nature extremely seriously and are investigating.” The Home Office added that safety and security of those in asylum accommodation, staff and local communities are “of the upmost importance” and that any criminality should be taken seriously.
YouTube confirmed the footage breached its standards and removed it from the platform. A spokesperson said: “Harassment and cyberbullying are not allowed on YouTube and as part of this, we do not allow content that reveals someone’s personally identifiable information.”
Rise in far-right ‘auditor’ activity
The incident reflects a growing trend of self-styled “auditors” and far-right activists attempting to access asylum accommodation, sometimes claiming to conduct “inspections”. While security at hotels has made such access difficult, the shift to houses of multiple occupancy has created new targets. Some activists obtain addresses from publicly available documents and share details in online groups.
Louise Calvey, executive director of Asylum Matters, described the intrusion as “a premeditated invasion into someone’s home for clicks and attention”. She called on the government to “urgently take steps to improve protections, remove the details of shared accommodation sites of all descriptions from the public domain, support people accommodated as victims of crimes, and escalate quicker police responses”.
A TH101UK spokesperson defended the footage and accused the asylum seekers of being “ticking timebombs”. They claimed to be conducting “independent journalism” and suggested mainstream media should ask similar questions. The same channel previously entered another asylum seeker property in Norfolk and posted footage online several months ago.
What this means for Poles in the UK
While this incident specifically involved asylum seekers, it highlights broader security concerns for anyone living in shared accommodation provided by government contractors. Polish nationals who have used temporary accommodation during visa applications or other immigration processes should be aware that such properties may be vulnerable to unauthorised access by activists filming for social media.
If you encounter individuals claiming to be contractors but acting suspiciously, you have the right to ask for proper identification and to refuse entry if you are not satisfied. Legitimate contractors will have official company ID and will typically have arranged visits in advance through the accommodation provider. Report any unauthorised intrusions immediately to the police and to your accommodation provider. The incident underscores the importance of keeping doors locked and not allowing access to anyone without verified credentials, regardless of what they claim their purpose is.