More than a hundred asylum seekers held at two UK immigration detention centres staged overnight protests against the government's controversial 'one in, one out' agreement with France, leading to a significant police response involving riot shields, dogs, and tear gas.
Protests Erupt at Key Detention Facilities
The coordinated demonstrations took place on Wednesday night across the two main detention centres used for the scheme: Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, and Brook House, near Gatwick. Detainees organised what they called a 'one in, one out' protest, symbolically mirroring the policy they oppose.
In messages seen by the Guardian, the protesters stated their case clearly: "We are asylum seekers, we are not criminals we are not animals. Between 41,000 people who crossed the Channel, why just we 200 persons are in detention? End the detention of asylum seekers. End our pain."
From Peaceful Gathering to Forceful Response
Initially, the protest was described as peaceful. Participants reported being locked in a hall, unable to access toilets, rest, or food and drink. One message read: "All is good. More than 60 here [at Harmondsworth] and 50 at Brook House, all protesting in a very nice and safe way."
The situation escalated when authorities intervened. Protesters allege that officers equipped with riot shields and police dogs were brought in, and that tear gas was used. One detainee, who fears smugglers in France, reported being beaten and locked alone in a room, stating: "I have a terrible pain in my head... The situation is very bad."
Another participant sent a message at 3.33am stating: "They brought special forces for us, they used [teargas], they took us by force inside rooms, they took the ones who have tickets by force. We are in pain, our eyes and bodies are burning."
Controversial Scheme and Detainee Fears
The protests targeted the 'one in, one out' scheme, which sees a minority of those who cross the Channel in small boats detained for forcible removal to France. In return, the UK accepts an equivalent number of asylum seekers via legal routes from France. The government presents it as a deterrent, but critics argue it is ineffective and cruel.
Detainees have produced four reports outlining their concerns. Their primary fears include:
- Being unsafe in France due to threats from people smugglers they have previously encountered.
- Being returned under EU law to another member state and subsequently to their country of origin, where they believe their lives are in danger.
- The perceived random and unfair selection process for the scheme.
Just 193 people had been forcibly removed to France under the scheme before Thursday's flight, with 195 brought to the UK legally in return. While Channel crossings are low this year, likely due to weather, 803 people crossed in 13 boats on a single day in December 2025, suggesting the policy is not yet a strong deterrent.
Widespread Condemnation of the Policy and Police Action
The response from support groups was swift and critical. A spokesperson for Captain Support, which aids migrants, said they were "horrified by the violence used against [the protesters] to enact the government's 'one in, one out' plan."
Libby Kane of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) offered strong condemnation: "This cruel UK-France scheme ultimately amounts to state-sanctioned human trafficking. We stand in complete solidarity with them and their demands."
The first 'one in, one out' flight of 2026 is understood to have taken off on Thursday morning following the overnight unrest. The Home Office has been approached for comment regarding the protests and the police tactics employed.
