Immigration detainees escape Oxford centre

Thursday, 19 June 2008 12:00 AM

Four detainees have escaped from an immigration removal centre in Oxford.

Police have launched an operation to recapture the detainees after being informed of the breakout by the Home Office at 03:45 BST this morning.

Seven people originally escaped from the immigration removal centre at Campsfield House, which is five miles north of Oxford, with three since being apprehended.

Police said a "thorough" search was now underway.

Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This is the fifth major disturbance at Campsfield in little over a year and the second in a week. It raises serious questions about the wisdom of mixing foreign national ex-prisoners with immigration detainees.

"The frequency of fires and escapes suggests there are significant problems with either the Home Office system or the management of Campsfield itself."

Tags:
• domestic policy
,
• immigration
,
• immigration detention centres
,
• policing and crime