Harmondsworth
Information on Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre
Harmondsworth currently has a capacity of 250, and holds single men only. Two out of four wings are currently closed, following a disturbance in November 2006. They are being rebuilt with higher security levels, and are due to reopen in summer 2010.
Harmondsworth is operated by a private security company called GEO, under contract to the UK Border Agency. Security in detention centres is comparable to prisons. Visitors show their photo ID, have an electronic photograph taken, give electronic fingerprints (not kept on record by the centre), leave all belongings in a locker, go through a metal detector and are searched, before they are accompanied to the Visitors Room.
The July 2006 report on Colnbrook by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons can be read here.
How to get there
The nearest underground station is Heathrow Terminals 1-3. The U3 bus goes from the central bus station, just outside the underground station. The bus takes about 10 minutes. It goes through a tunnel, round a roundabout and then turns left out of the airport. Get off at the third stop after the left turn, just before the bus turns right at some traffic lights. Cross over at the lights and carry on walking down this road (Bath Rd / Colnbrook Bypass) for about five minutes. Harmondsworth and Colnbrook are on the right, immediately after the Sheraton Hotel. The two centres share a common drive; Harmondsworth is on the left. There is a car park, but space is limited and it is sometimes full. Visitors should go the out-building in front of the main building.
View map
Visiting hours are 2pm-8:30pm daily, including weekends and public holidays. Visits need to be booked in advance with the centre. Visitors should call 020 8283 3850 the day before their visit. Visitors need to bring proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (bill or bank statement).
Address:
Harmondsworth IRC
Colnbrook Bypass
Longford
West Drayton
Middlesex UB7 0HB
Tel: 020 8283 3850
Fax: 020 8283 3851
Harmondsworth currently has a capacity of 250, and holds single men only. Two out of four wings are currently closed, following a disturbance in November 2006. They are being rebuilt with higher security levels, and are due to reopen in summer 2010.
Harmondsworth is operated by a private security company called GEO, under contract to the UK Border Agency. Security in detention centres is comparable to prisons. Visitors show their photo ID, have an electronic photograph taken, give electronic fingerprints (not kept on record by the centre), leave all belongings in a locker, go through a metal detector and are searched, before they are accompanied to the Visitors Room. The July 2006 report on Colnbrook by the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons can be read here.
How to get there
The nearest underground station is Heathrow Terminals 1-3. The U3 bus goes from the central bus station, just outside the underground station. The bus takes about 10 minutes. It goes through a tunnel, round a roundabout and then turns left out of the airport. Get off at the third stop after the left turn, just before the bus turns right at some traffic lights. Cross over at the lights and carry on walking down this road (Bath Rd / Colnbrook Bypass) for about five minutes. Harmondsworth and Colnbrook are on the right, immediately after the Sheraton Hotel. The two centres share a common drive; Harmondsworth is on the left. There is a car park, but space is limited and it is sometimes full. Visitors should go the out-building in front of the main building.
View map
Visiting hours are 2pm-8:30pm daily, including weekends and public holidays. Visits need to be booked in advance with the centre. Visitors should call 020 8283 3850 the day before their visit. Visitors need to bring proof of identity (passport or driving licence) and proof of address (bill or bank statement).
Address:
Harmondsworth IRC
Colnbrook Bypass
Longford
West Drayton
Middlesex UB7 0HB
Tel: 020 8283 3850
Fax: 020 8283 3851
