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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mass escape from detention centre | Mass escape from detention centre |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police are hunting for 16 asylum seekers who escaped from a detention centre after a fire was started there. | |
| A total of 26 people broke out of Campsfield House, near Kidlington in Oxford, but 10 have been caught. | |
| Officers in riot gear were brought in to deal with a disturbance at the centre on Saturday night, when a fire was lit in the building. | Officers in riot gear were brought in to deal with a disturbance at the centre on Saturday night, when a fire was lit in the building. |
| A helicopter, police dogs and a large number of officers are searching for the escapees. | A helicopter, police dogs and a large number of officers are searching for the escapees. |
| Overcrowding claim | Overcrowding claim |
| The trouble began a day after more than 150 detainees agreed to suspend a hunger strike they had been maintaining. | The trouble began a day after more than 150 detainees agreed to suspend a hunger strike they had been maintaining. |
| They complained to officials about overcrowded conditions and claimed they were being held illegally. | They complained to officials about overcrowded conditions and claimed they were being held illegally. |
| A Thames Valley Police spokesman said that although 16 detainees were still missing, the situation was "fully under control". | |
| Police had secured the centre, near Kidlington, to prevent other detainees escaping. | |
| Rooftop protest | |
| The spokesman added: "We are doing everything we can to locate the missing 16 people. | |
| "We appeal to members of the public who see anyone in the area acting suspiciously to contact police." | |
| Campsfield was converted into an immigration detention centre in 1993 amid a storm of protest from local residents. | Campsfield was converted into an immigration detention centre in 1993 amid a storm of protest from local residents. |
| It is run by the American company GEO and holds up to 200 male asylum seekers at a time. | It is run by the American company GEO and holds up to 200 male asylum seekers at a time. |
| Within six months of opening, six asylum seekers escaped following a rooftop protest. | Within six months of opening, six asylum seekers escaped following a rooftop protest. |