There has been a dramatic increase in the number of detainees harming themselves this year at a Kent immigration centre.

Figures revealed by the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns show an 80 per cent rise in the number requiring medical treatment for self-harm injuries at the Dover Immigration and Removal Centre in the first three months of this year, compared with the previous three months, and a 100 per cent increase on the same period last year.

The coalition obtained the figures through a Freedom of Information request.

A total of 18 people harmed themselves in January, February and March this year, compared with 39 for the whole of 2007. In the same period, 32 detainees were formally listed as being at risk of self-harm, compared with 118 for the whole of 2007.

The coalition describes the increase at Dover as "alarming".

In a statement, the Home Office said it takes "self-harm seriously and the health of all detainees is monitored closely".

~ See the figures on the NCADC's website >>>