Immigration detainees released from centres to make way for Harmondsworth detainees

Around 150 immigration detainees may be released from removal centres in order to make space for inmates evacuated from the Harmondsworth centre in west London, the home secretary announced today.

Detainees from Harmondsworth were removed yesterday evening after a major disturbance began at the centre in the early hours of the morning.

John Reid told the House of Commons that around 150 low-risk immigration detainees from detention centres may be released on bail with reporting restrictions to make space for Harmondsworth detainees.

He said that no detainees from Harmondsworth or foreign national prisoners would be bailed.

Reid also announced that an incident had taken place in the early hours of this morning at Lindholme detention centre in south Yorkshire, which fire crews attended.

The uprising at Harmondsworth, which involved fires being lit, came after the publication of a damning inspection report on the centre from the chief inspector of prisons.