A new report has revealed serious unrest inside one of the UK’s main migrant detention centres, with guards using pepper spray to control large protests. The Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board for Gatwick Immigration Removal Centre showed that tensions increased sharply at Brook House in 2024. The report recorded 28 serious incidents, compared to only four the year before, showing how quickly the situation escalated inside the facility.
Inspectors said several of these incidents involved large groups of men protesting at once. Between 25 and 40 migrants took part in demonstrations on different occasions. Three major protests happened in February and March alone, with one linked to delays in the migrants’ cases, while the other two were driven by growing frustration over long periods of detention. Many detainees felt trapped with no progress on their cases, which added to the tension.
In May, the situation became even more chaotic when multiple protests broke out at the same time. According to the report, 38 men who were scheduled to be removed to Rwanda refused to return indoors from one of the courtyards. At the same time, men in two other wings climbed onto the anti-suicide netting to express anger over their stalled immigration cases. This showed how widespread the frustration had become among those waiting for deportation or case decisions.
Later in 2024, inspectors noticed even more men climbing onto the anti-suicide netting, a dangerous action often used to resist removal or show emotional distress. Although many of these situations were handled by trained Serco negotiators working inside the centre, the tension was too much at times. On at least a dozen occasions, the National Tactical Response Group (NTRG), a specialist team trained to manage serious prison and detention incidents, had to be called in.
The report said that the presence of the NTRG usually pushed detainees to negotiate, but in some cases, the team had to take physical action. The document confirmed that PAVA spray, a type of pepper spray that causes intense pain and temporary blindness, was used twice. This raised concerns about the level of force needed to manage unrest and whether the centre had enough staff support to safely handle rising tensions.
Inspectors said they had “reason for concern” about how the different teams inside the centre were working together. They noted problems with communication between PPG staff and Serco, the private company that runs Brook House. Serco workers told the Board that they were not receiving enough information from PPG staff, making it difficult to manage detainees’ needs and respond properly during emergencies.
The report also said PPG staff looked overwhelmed and hesitant to share information. This created a breakdown in coordination, which made life more difficult for vulnerable migrants who needed support. Poor communication also reduced the centre’s ability to handle crises safely. Inspectors warned that the communication failures were affecting both the safety of migrants and the staff working inside Brook House.
Overall, the report painted a picture of a detention centre under heavy pressure, with rising frustration among detainees and weakened staff support systems. The events of 2024 show how easily tensions can increase when migrants face long waits, uncertain futures, and poor communication about their cases.