Key facts
- Eight Albanian men escaped from the Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre in April 2023.
- The escapees used gym equipment to breach the facility's perimeter.
- A seven-week nationwide manhunt was conducted by Bedfordshire Police, collaborating with other forces.
- Thirteen men were ultimately convicted for offenses related to the escape, including drug supply and possession of criminal property.
- One escapee, Rizah Koka, received a six-month sentence for escaping lawful custody.
A nationwide manhunt was launched in April 2023 after eight Albanian men escaped from the Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre near Bedford. The escape, documented in a Channel 4 episode of '24 Hours in Police Custody' titled 'Breakout', involved the detainees using gym equipment to climb over the facility's fence during a mass disorder. While five were apprehended the same night, the remaining eight evaded authorities for weeks, splitting into smaller groups and requiring collaboration between Bedfordshire Police and forces in West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and London.
Detective Chief Superintendent Will Hodgkinson described the seven-week search as the largest and most intense challenge he had encountered in his career. Some of the men eventually surrendered, while others were located in various parts of the country. The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of a total of 13 men for offenses including violent disorder, drug supply, and possession of criminal property, resulting in sentences totaling over 21 years.
Among those convicted were Rizah Koka, Mexhit Palushi, and Samuel Boka. Koka and Palushi were arrested outside a coffee shop in Colindale, leading to the discovery of significant quantities of cocaine, cannabis, and cash. Boka was arrested at the flat containing the drugs. In December 2023, these three men received sentences totaling over 14 years for their roles in the drug operation and escape. An Albanian national who was part of the escape has since spoken critically of his experiences in the UK, stating it is "not the place everyone fantasises" about.