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Police were called to an immigration center this morning after a group of detainees armed with “various weapons” at an immigration center caused a “disturbance” during a power cut. The outage sparked a protest that saw around 100 people gather in the exercise yard, according to reports. Officers from the Metropolitan Police and HM Prison Service attended the incident at Harmondsworth Detention Center near Heathrow Airport, following the 3am break. Riot officers from the Met Police rushed to Harmondsworth Detention Centre (UkNewsinPictures) It comes as the government faces continued criticism over its handling of asylum seekers after a group taken from the Manston processing center were reportedly left “abandoned” in central London without housing or warm clothing. The Home Office said in a statement: “There has been a power outage at Harmondsworth immigration removal center and work is currently underway to resolve this issue. “We are aware that there is a disturbance at the center and the relevant authorities have been notified and are on the scene,” the spokesman continued. “The welfare and safety of staff and people detained at Harmondsworth is our top priority. A power outage reportedly sparked a protest that saw around 100 people gather in the exercise yard (Independent TV) The police called the immigration center as detainees armed with weapons (Independent TV) “A group of prisoners left their rooms and went out into the courtyard armed with various weapons. “Regional Support Police have been sent to the scene and the power is still out.” People inside a containment area inside a migrant processing center in Manston (Reuters) None of those arrested left the premises during the incident and have since returned to their rooms. Earlier this week, 14 councils in Kent and Medway said hundreds of Albanians held in Manston were “dropped off at central Kent train stations without being followed”. Officials moved about 50 asylum seekers from the overcrowded Kent facility on Tuesday, but 11 men had nowhere to go after arriving at Victoria bus station, volunteers from a homelessness charity told the Guardian. The councils also said “far-right activity” is increasing in migrant housing sites. It follows the bombing of a reception center for people arriving by small boat from Dover. Additional report from PA
