Detainees set fire to centre in rampage

Detainees at an immigration centre in Oxfordshire went on the rampage on Wednesday night, setting fire to the building and smashing windows.

Five men were taken to hospital with minor injuries after a fracas in the dining room of Campsfield House, the holding centre in Kidlington which was the scene of protests by residents two months ago.

About 20 to 30 detainees were said to have taken part in last night's disturbance, smashing a dozen large windows and lighting a fire in a corridor near the laundry room. However, staff in riot gear quickly restored order.

There were fears that the centre's 180 residents would have to be moved if fire damage proved too severe.

A spokesman for Group 4, which runs the centre, said he did not know the reason for the disturbance.

But an insider said: "These facilities are volatile, difficult environments to manage. People don't like being detained."