Concerns voiced over dawn raids

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First Minister Jack McConnell has voiced concerns to Home Secretary John Reid over dawn raids to remove failed asylum seekers.

The news emerged as hundreds of protesters staged a rally against the practice in Glasgow.

Mr McConnell is known to be particularly concerned about the impact on the children of families involved.

The issue is reserved to the UK Government and the Scottish Executive has no power to act in the matter.

Mr McConnell spoke to the home secretary on Thursday morning after detentions of families earlier this week sparked fresh controversy.

Impact on children

An executive spokeswoman said: "The first minister said that he understood how difficult the issues surrounding deportations are and remain.

"But he expressed concerns at the impact on the children from the raids taking place in Glasgow.

"The home secretary recognised these concerns and said it is something that Home Office ministers will reflect on."

One raid was thwarted on Tuesday when officials could not locate a family because they were outside their home protesting.

Protesters voiced their anger at Home Office dawn raids

On Saturday, hundreds of protesters gathered in George Square to protest against the raids.

Unity, the recently formed union of asylum seekers in Scotland, had called for the protest.

Representatives from political parties and the Church of Scotland were among those present.

Robina Qureshi of Glasgow-based housing charity Positive Action in Housing said the protesters wanted to see the immediate cessation of dawn raids in Scotland.

"The pressure is definitely growing and there's a lot of resistance among people and we want to see an end to these dawn raids.

"All we are demanding is a humane asylum policy."