Asylum seekers are being kept entertained by going on shopping trips after officials were warned that "bored" migrants could spark violence.
It comes as there is concern that serious violence could break out at MDP Wethersfield airbase in Essex.
It comes after insiders reported "almost nightly fighting" between different nationalities.
Former border watchdog David Neal visited the isolated site near Braintree in December and February and described a feeling of "hopelessness caused by boredom" among residents.
There have been concerns about the conditions at MDP Wethersfield
PA
Neal had warned the Government that boredom would "lead to increased criminality, including arson". His assessment was rejected by the Home Office.
Now, new photos have emerged showing migrants boarding a minibus after a trip into Braintree, which is 15 minutes away from the airbase.
Braintree resident Marion Parker, 44 said: "What message does it send out to others who want to come here? You get free journeys into towns to shop. It's a complete joke.
"I'm not against immigration at all. But this is a reward for breaking immigration law. Why don't homeless Brits get free trips to shopping centres?"
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The welcome centre at the accommodation block at the asylum accommodation centre at MDP Wethersfield in Essex
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David Price, who runs a campaign called Wethersfield Protest, said: "The situation has always been terrible and always will be terrible. It makes absolutely no sense to have it there. The asylum seekers have told me when I have come across them that conditions there are not suited.
"They complain it's too cold and not good enough. The whole situation is an almighty recipe for disaster. The situation in there is terrible."
Neal was sacked as Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration earlier this month after falling out with Home Secretary James Cleverly.
His report followed shocking stories from the site that included brawls, chairs being thrown and some suffering bad injuries.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We disagree with the assessment made by the former ICIBI on Wethersfield. We take the safety and welfare of asylum seekers at Wethersfield extremely seriously and we will prioritise welfare and integration while increasing occupancy of the site.
"Wethersfield is not a detained site and asylum seekers are free to come and go. A regular transport service is in place to take residents to larger local cities.
"We continue to work across Government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options to reduce the unacceptable use of hotels which cost £8million a day."
