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Police to be sued for riot damage Police to be sued for riot damage
(about 9 hours later)
Police can be sued for the estimated £42m damage caused during a riot at a Bedfordshire immigration detention centre, the Court of Appeal has ruled.Police can be sued for the estimated £42m damage caused during a riot at a Bedfordshire immigration detention centre, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
The claim against Bedfordshire Police Authority by Yarl's Wood Immigration Ltd (YWIL) and GSL Ltd was dismissed in the High Court last year.The claim against Bedfordshire Police Authority by Yarl's Wood Immigration Ltd (YWIL) and GSL Ltd was dismissed in the High Court last year.
Three appeal judges have now ruled that the 1886 Riot (Damages) Act could be used in a claim.Three appeal judges have now ruled that the 1886 Riot (Damages) Act could be used in a claim.
Almost half of the centre was destroyed by fire in February 2002.Almost half of the centre was destroyed by fire in February 2002.
The Act allows companies and individuals to sue the police over loss caused by "any persons riotously and tumultuously assembled together," the court heard.The Act allows companies and individuals to sue the police over loss caused by "any persons riotously and tumultuously assembled together," the court heard.
There will be a trial over liability and the amount of damages at a future date in the High Court.There will be a trial over liability and the amount of damages at a future date in the High Court.
Last year, a High Court judge ruled that Bedfordshire Police had done nothing wrong in deciding to stay on guard at the detention centre's perimeter fence until invited on to the site by the operators. 'Disappointing decision'
Last year, a High Court judge ruled Bedfordshire Police had done nothing wrong in deciding to stay on guard at the detention centre's perimeter fence until invited on to the site by the operators.
The fire at the Yarl's Wood centre destroyed half the buildings.The fire at the Yarl's Wood centre destroyed half the buildings.
Peter Conniff, chairman of Bedfordshire Police Authority, said: "Obviously the authority is disappointed to learn of the appeal court's decision, which rules that Group 4 and their insurers are entitled to make a claim against the authority and our insurers under the Riot Damages Act 1886.
"This decision reverses that of the High Court last year and there are obviously a number of legal issues that still need to be considered.
"However, I would like to reassure local taxpayers that any successful claim against the authority will be met by our insurance and not from the taxpayers' pocket.
"It is likely that there will now be a further hearing in the High Court in due course to consider the merits of Group 4's claim.
"But we cannot say more at this stage as the authority and its insurers need to take stock of the position in the light of this latest twist in the Yarl's Wood saga."