Child detention continues despite coalition promise
By Alex Stevenson
Nearly 700 children were held in immigration removal centres this summer despite the coalition's pledge to end child detention, it has emerged.
A freedom of information request from the Children's Society charity revealed 697 children, nearly a third of whom were unaccompanied, were held at Greater London and south-east ports between May and the end of August.
That came despite the coalition's clear commitment last December that it would end child detention, apart from a handful of families involved in border cases.
"We are horrified at the excessive numbers of children being held in the south-east and very disappointed that government has not kept these numbers to a minimum," Children's Society chief executive Bob Reitemeier said.
Concerns have been raised about the Home Office's lack of monitoring of the situation. The department is not collecting information on the length of detention or reasons why the children have been detained.
"This raises serious questions about the commitment to end the immigration detention of children," Mr Reitemeier added.
The UK Border Agency said the government had always said it would hold families who arrive at the border without the right to enter Britain.
"Where it is considered in the family's best interests not to stay at the airport until the next flight, the UK Border Agency will make arrangements for them to stay at Tinsley House [immigration removal centre]," a spokesperson said.
Problems remain, however. Surprise inspections of three Heathrow terminals prompted HM inspector of prisoners to express concern about the lack of awareness among staff of how to refer child victims of trafficking to the correct authorities.
The government has already been embarrassed by its limited progress on child detention.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg was reportedly "furious" after it emerged an 11-year-old girl had been held overnight at Tinsley House from Christmas Day to Boxing Day last year.
