Residents are concerned about security beaches at Oakington

Six Romanians, five Moldovans and one from the Czech Republic have fled from the Oakington Reception Centre in Cambridgeshire.

Despite searches by the police, they have not been found.

A spokeswoman from the Home Office said: "I can confirm 12 individuals climbed over the fence and absconded from the centre.

"Police have been informed and an internal investigation will be carried out as a matter of course.

"Those involved were at different stages of the immigration process."

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said officers went to the centre after being alerted about the escape at 2100 BST on Sunday.

It is entirely unsatisfactory and we are constantly worrying about it. Peter Stroude, Oakington councillor

Officers carried out a search until 2400 BST, but called off the operation when no trace of them could be found.

Group 4, which runs the centre, is understood to be reviewing security procedures.

The Home Office spokeswoman said no figures were available on the number of escapes from the centre.

District councillor for Oakington, Peter Stroude, said nearby residents are concerned about security.

"No-one seems to know exactly how many people escape from there, but the impression we get is that it is happening all the time.

"It is entirely unsatisfactory and we are constantly worrying about it."

According to figures published in March there were 90 people being housed at the �4.5m facility, which has a capacity of 400.

It was opened in 2000 by the government as part of a plans to fast track applications for refugees.