Many people will be surprised that there have not been more serious disturbances at Campsfield House at Kidlington.

With many of the detainees likely to face deportation, it is bound to be a potentially volatile place. The fact that we have so few reports of severe confrontation between staff and inmates may be due to a mixture of good management and good luck.

But yesterday's events show how quickly trouble can erupt.

One small upset escalated in a matter of minutes into a major incident, which required the intervention of armed prison and police officers. With nine people injured, the immediate need was to restore order and prevent more casualties.

It is right that there should be a full investigation into what sparked yesterday's outburst, and whether there are any lessons to be learned. The inquiry should also look into whether Campsfield House is suitable for holding detainees in the 21st century.

Britain has a good record of welcoming people from overseas.

Many of them have contributed immensely to our economy and culture. But among the arrivals, there will always be some whose circumstances and intentions we have to question.

We need somewhere secure to hold them while their cases are reviewed. But whether Campsfield House, with its many old buildings, is the right place is open to debate.