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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. Police are looking 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.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. The escapees are being urged to hand themselves in to police by a leading immigration rights campaigner.
Imam Sajid, chairman of Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, which provides independent legal advice for asylum applicants, said: "If you have a grievance do it properly - hand yourselves in now and get legal representation."
We are doing everything we can to locate the missing 16 people Thames Valley PoliceWe are doing everything we can to locate the missing 16 people Thames Valley Police
Mr Sajid said detainees should not have started fires or escaped. But he added the men are desperate and called for an overhaul of Britain's asylum policy.
"It is hard to be sympathetic towards anyone who breaks the law but these men must be desperate to have done this," he said.
A helicopter, police dogs and a large number of officers are searching for the escapees.
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".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.Police had secured the centre, near Kidlington, to prevent other detainees escaping.
Rooftop protestRooftop protest
The spokesman added: "We are doing everything we can to locate the missing 16 people. 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." A Home Office spokesman also said "every effort" was being made to recapture those still at large.
A Home Office spokesman said "every effort" was being made to recapture those still at large.
He said: "The establishment itself suffered minor damage.He said: "The establishment itself suffered minor damage.
"Borders and Immigration Agency staff, prison service staff, police and GEO are working to ensure a speedy return to normality at Campsfield.""Borders and Immigration Agency staff, prison service staff, police and GEO are working to ensure a speedy return to normality at Campsfield."
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.