Search for 14 escaped detainees continues
Ten of the 26 escapees have been captured so far
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Sunday, 05, Aug 2007 02:28
Police are continuing their search for 14 escapees from the Campsfield house immigration detention centre, near Kidlington in Oxford.
Twelve of the 26 who escaped from the centre, which is run by the Border and Immigration agency, have been captured by the police.
The detainees started a fire in the centre yesterday night before fleeing from the building.
Police are using a helicopter as well as search dogs to help locate the on-the-run detainees.
The immigration removal centre is run by an American company GEO and has a capacity of 200 male asylum seekers.
Thames Valley police Superintendent Robin Rickard, who is leading the search operation, said: "We are working with GEO to ensure everything is done, as quickly as possible, to locate the missing detainees.
"However, I would ask that if members of the public see anyone acting suspiciously and believes they may have been involved in this incident; contact the police immediately."
Campsfield house is about five miles north of Oxford and has been in operation since 1993.