This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7192090.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Centre's staff 'feared for lives' Asylum staff 'feared for lives'
(10 minutes later)
Staff at an immigration centre, where detainees went on the "rampage", felt their lives were put at risk, Southwark Crown Court has heard. Staff at an immigration centre feared for their lives when detainees went on the "rampage", Southwark Crown Court has heard.
The riot at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, west London, in November 2006, lasted for 12 hours.The riot at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, west London, in November 2006, lasted for 12 hours.
Ali Mohammed Ahmed, Sherif El-Gazzaz, Andrey Pylaev and Alexsey Goryachiev all deny conspiracy to commit violent disorder and to damage property.Ali Mohammed Ahmed, Sherif El-Gazzaz, Andrey Pylaev and Alexsey Goryachiev all deny conspiracy to commit violent disorder and to damage property.
Inmates smashed CCTV cameras and used "makeshift weapons", the jury heard. Inmates brandished "makeshift weapons" and threatened violence, jurors heard.
'Fires started''Fires started'
Mr Mohammed Ahmed, a 20-year-old Palestinian national, and his co-accused are charged with planning the disturbance between 31 October and 30 November 2006.Mr Mohammed Ahmed, a 20-year-old Palestinian national, and his co-accused are charged with planning the disturbance between 31 October and 30 November 2006.
Egyptian national Mr El-Gazzaz, 21, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to two counts of damaging property.Egyptian national Mr El-Gazzaz, 21, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to two counts of damaging property.
Russian national Mr Pylaev, 22 , also of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to two specific counts of damaging property.Russian national Mr Pylaev, 22 , also of no fixed address, has pleaded not guilty to two specific counts of damaging property.
Fellow Russian Mr Goryachiev, 26, of Victoria Street, Southport, Merseyside, has denied one count of the same charge.Fellow Russian Mr Goryachiev, 26, of Victoria Street, Southport, Merseyside, has denied one count of the same charge.
In the words of one officer the detainees were on the rampage Prosecutor Gareth PattersonIn the words of one officer the detainees were on the rampage Prosecutor Gareth Patterson
Inmates started six fires at the centre, including in laundries and a canteen, and brandished legs of tables and chairs as "weapons", prosecutor Gareth Patterson told the court.Inmates started six fires at the centre, including in laundries and a canteen, and brandished legs of tables and chairs as "weapons", prosecutor Gareth Patterson told the court.
A woman officer narrowly missed being hit on the head by a shower rail which was thrown "like a spear", he said.A woman officer narrowly missed being hit on the head by a shower rail which was thrown "like a spear", he said.
Describing the scene, Mr Patterson said: "Lives were put at risk on several occasions during the disturbance.Describing the scene, Mr Patterson said: "Lives were put at risk on several occasions during the disturbance.
"Many staff it seems feared not only for themselves but their colleagues as they tried to do their jobs.""Many staff it seems feared not only for themselves but their colleagues as they tried to do their jobs."
The cost of the damage was estimated at being "in the millions". Officers tried but failed to negotiate with the inmates who were "screaming about conditions", he said. The cost of the damage was estimated at being "in the millions".
Officers tried but failed to negotiate with the inmates who were "screaming about conditions", he said.
Mr Patterson added: "In the words of one officer, the detainees were on the rampage. Disorder was spreading. It seemed infectious."Mr Patterson added: "In the words of one officer, the detainees were on the rampage. Disorder was spreading. It seemed infectious."
Additional police and special Home Office Tornado restraint and control teams had to be called in to control the situation, the court heard. It was when the lights were turned off, and detainees continued to throw items, that the order to evacuate was given.
Additional police and special Home Office Tornado restraint and control teams were called in to bring the situation under control, the court heard.