Riot alert at immigration centre

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A police cordon has been set up around the centre

A team of prison officers has helped to restore order at an immigration detention centre after a disturbance.

The team, dressed in riot gear, went into Campsfield House in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, to escort detainees back to their rooms, the Home Office said.

Earlier small fires had been started and one person suffered smoke inhalation, but no detainees escaped.

Detainees were held in an exercise yard to calm down. It is the latest in a number of disturbances at the centre.

A Home Office spokeswoman said on Saturday evening: "There is no trouble ongoing. Everything is under control, it is being wound down."

Troubled past

Earlier about 10 fire engines, 50 police officers and a police helicopter were sent to the scene after smoke was seen billowing from the centre.

A police cordon was set up around the centre and dog handlers patrolled the perimeters. There were no serious injuries reported.

This is the fourth reported disturbance in the last 16 months Evan Harris, local MP

The Home Office spokeswoman said: "It hasn't been a major incident. It is all over now and people are being taken back to their rooms."

There have been a series of problems at the centre.

In March 2007 nine people were hurt in a disturbance and in August last year 26 men fled after a fire, with eight still on the run.

Another 120 detainees rioted in December.

Evan Harris, Liberal Democrats MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "The primary concern is for the safety of the inmates and staff.

"This is the fourth reported disturbance in the last 16 months and suggests there is something seriously wrong either with the Home Office systems or the management of the centre."

Campsfield was converted to a detention centre holding 200 male asylum seekers in 1993 and is run by the American company GEO.