Greece detains immigrants

Greek authorities have opened a detention centre for illegal migrants under an anti-immigration drive launched shortly before Sunday’s national election.

Police say dozens of people were being taken yesterday to the site, on the outskirts of Athens. The first group, of 56 people, was interned on Sunday. The centre is designed to accomodate 1,200 inmates.

Local people have protested, saying the camp will add to the area’s crime problems.

Authorities say 500,000 illegal immigrants have reached Greece over the past three years, coinciding with a sharp increase in violent crime.