ID :
169666
Mon, 03/21/2011 - 12:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/169666
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Armed cops separate Christmas Is detainees
Armed federal police in riot gear have moved through compounds in the Christmas Island detention centre to separate out detainees following recent riots.
From the jungle-covered hilltop overlooking the Northwest Point facility, officers could be seen entering detention blocks on Monday and escorting detainees to other parts of the centre.
Armoured Land Cruisers were on stand-by during the operation at the troubled centre, which was the scene of riots last week and mass break-outs before that.
Detainees watched on through the steel mesh walls of their compound.
Last week, police used tear gas and "bean-bag bullets" to quell rioters who on Thursday night burned down accommodation tents and small buildings.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) now have 188 officers on the island and have taken over control of the centre from the contracted private operator Serco and the Immigration Department.
Outside the centre on Monday, Detective Superintendent Chris Lines told reporters that police, Serco and Immigration officers were processing the detainees and "redirecting them to their assigned areas".
"At this stage all detainees have been compliant in the process this morning."
Det Supt Lines said the electric fence around the centre had been activated since Friday night as a result of last week's disturbances.
He declined to confirm immigration official Fiona Andrew's statement at a community meeting on the island on Monday morning that all detainees had been accounted for and were back inside the centre.
"Until an official head count is concluded it is premature for me to comment on any active search plans for detainees that may remain potentially at large outside the centre," Det Supt Lines said.
On Sunday he told a community meeting there could be up to 20 detainees at large and police were engaged in a search for escapees who may be camping rough in the island's jungles.
Just before the riots, around 170 detainees walked out of the centre over pushed-down perimeter fencing and roamed the island, hanging out at beaches and heightening safety concerns among Christmas Island residents.
Det Supt Lines said police units would patrol the island to allay community concerns.
Around 250 to 300 detainees were allegedly involved in the riots out of around 2500 at the centre last week.
The AFP is looking at bringing a special team of officers to investigate crimes committed by detainees during the riots and refer charges on to prosecuting authorities.
To reduce overcrowding and tension at the centre, the Immigration Department has been flying detainees out to mainland detention centres, with 70 to 80 flying out on Monday.
The department's West Australian director John Moorhouse said numbers at the centre were down from around 3000 to under 2000 and around 300 detainees would be flown out this week.
"We will be wanting to get it down to 1700 or 1800 maximum," he told AAP.
The vast majority of detainees were not involved in the breakouts or riots, Mr Moorhouse said.
"A lot of people are appalled by what has happened, they understand the appearance it creates and want nothing to do with it."
From the jungle-covered hilltop overlooking the Northwest Point facility, officers could be seen entering detention blocks on Monday and escorting detainees to other parts of the centre.
Armoured Land Cruisers were on stand-by during the operation at the troubled centre, which was the scene of riots last week and mass break-outs before that.
Detainees watched on through the steel mesh walls of their compound.
Last week, police used tear gas and "bean-bag bullets" to quell rioters who on Thursday night burned down accommodation tents and small buildings.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) now have 188 officers on the island and have taken over control of the centre from the contracted private operator Serco and the Immigration Department.
Outside the centre on Monday, Detective Superintendent Chris Lines told reporters that police, Serco and Immigration officers were processing the detainees and "redirecting them to their assigned areas".
"At this stage all detainees have been compliant in the process this morning."
Det Supt Lines said the electric fence around the centre had been activated since Friday night as a result of last week's disturbances.
He declined to confirm immigration official Fiona Andrew's statement at a community meeting on the island on Monday morning that all detainees had been accounted for and were back inside the centre.
"Until an official head count is concluded it is premature for me to comment on any active search plans for detainees that may remain potentially at large outside the centre," Det Supt Lines said.
On Sunday he told a community meeting there could be up to 20 detainees at large and police were engaged in a search for escapees who may be camping rough in the island's jungles.
Just before the riots, around 170 detainees walked out of the centre over pushed-down perimeter fencing and roamed the island, hanging out at beaches and heightening safety concerns among Christmas Island residents.
Det Supt Lines said police units would patrol the island to allay community concerns.
Around 250 to 300 detainees were allegedly involved in the riots out of around 2500 at the centre last week.
The AFP is looking at bringing a special team of officers to investigate crimes committed by detainees during the riots and refer charges on to prosecuting authorities.
To reduce overcrowding and tension at the centre, the Immigration Department has been flying detainees out to mainland detention centres, with 70 to 80 flying out on Monday.
The department's West Australian director John Moorhouse said numbers at the centre were down from around 3000 to under 2000 and around 300 detainees would be flown out this week.
"We will be wanting to get it down to 1700 or 1800 maximum," he told AAP.
The vast majority of detainees were not involved in the breakouts or riots, Mr Moorhouse said.
"A lot of people are appalled by what has happened, they understand the appearance it creates and want nothing to do with it."
