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Morton Hall Immigration Centre officers hurt during violence | Morton Hall Immigration Centre officers hurt during violence |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Five prison officers were injured during disturbances at an immigration removal centre, it has emerged. | Five prison officers were injured during disturbances at an immigration removal centre, it has emerged. |
Weapons including home made knives, pool cues and balls were used when up to 50 detainees fought at Morton Hall in Lincolnshire, according to staff. | Weapons including home made knives, pool cues and balls were used when up to 50 detainees fought at Morton Hall in Lincolnshire, according to staff. |
The UK Border Agency insists Morton Hall is a safe place for detainees and staff, but has transferred 12 detainees to other centres. | |
Union bosses fear an officer could be killed because of understaffing. | |
Glyn Travis, spokesperson for the POA union, which represents staff at the centre in Swinderby, said his members were in danger. | Glyn Travis, spokesperson for the POA union, which represents staff at the centre in Swinderby, said his members were in danger. |
'Refused to disperse' | 'Refused to disperse' |
"We feel one of our people is going to get killed as staffing levels have been reduced. | "We feel one of our people is going to get killed as staffing levels have been reduced. |
"We will get a member of staff murdered on duty." | "We will get a member of staff murdered on duty." |
Mr Travis said one detainee was taken to hospital with serious head injuries. | |
However, the Border Agency said the detainee was taken to hospital with a hand injury and a small cut to the head. | |
A spokesperson said he was not admitted to hospital and returned to Morton Hall shortly afterwards. | |
He added the most serious injury was to a female member of staff who was punched in the back and face. | He added the most serious injury was to a female member of staff who was punched in the back and face. |
Mr Travis said the trouble began on 24 December when there was a "passive demonstration" involving between 30 and 40 detainees, who were complaining about conditions and "refused to disperse". | Mr Travis said the trouble began on 24 December when there was a "passive demonstration" involving between 30 and 40 detainees, who were complaining about conditions and "refused to disperse". |
"We feared a wholesale riot and loss of control", he said. | "We feared a wholesale riot and loss of control", he said. |
Staff eventually persuaded the large group to break-up, according to the union. | Staff eventually persuaded the large group to break-up, according to the union. |
On Christmas Day, Mr Travis said there was also a "serious attempted escape". | On Christmas Day, Mr Travis said there was also a "serious attempted escape". |
Staff found a detainee had placed a dummy in his bed to fool them during checks. | Staff found a detainee had placed a dummy in his bed to fool them during checks. |
The detainee was found hiding in a bin "hoping to get away", he said. | The detainee was found hiding in a bin "hoping to get away", he said. |
On Sunday, he said troubles erupted to a dangerous level when between 30 and 50 Afghan and Vietnamese detainees were involved in a fight. | On Sunday, he said troubles erupted to a dangerous level when between 30 and 50 Afghan and Vietnamese detainees were involved in a fight. |
Detainees transferred | Detainees transferred |
Mr Travis said: "When you've got 12 men kicking and stamping on another person's head you know it could have the consequences of leading to death. | Mr Travis said: "When you've got 12 men kicking and stamping on another person's head you know it could have the consequences of leading to death. |
"It really kicked off and the security at Morton Hall was hanging by a thread." | "It really kicked off and the security at Morton Hall was hanging by a thread." |
A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "All our Immigration Removal Centres are overseen by an Independent Monitoring Board. | A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "All our Immigration Removal Centres are overseen by an Independent Monitoring Board. |
"We will not tolerate any behaviour which might put anyone at risk of harm. | "We will not tolerate any behaviour which might put anyone at risk of harm. |
"[However] Morton Hall is a safe place for detainees and staff." | "[However] Morton Hall is a safe place for detainees and staff." |
The agency said the first disturbance was resolved within an hour and all detainees returned to their rooms without further disruption. | The agency said the first disturbance was resolved within an hour and all detainees returned to their rooms without further disruption. |
He added the disturbance last Sunday was again resolved within an hour - with five members of staff sustaining injuries and one detainee being taken to hospital. | He added the disturbance last Sunday was again resolved within an hour - with five members of staff sustaining injuries and one detainee being taken to hospital. |
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