Barbed wire fences, electric gates and burly officers all give the impression that Brook House is unlike any other immigration removal centre around.

Prison-like inside and out in appearance, Brook House is a new 426-bed detention centre at Gatwick Airport which was opened last Wednesday by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.

The Government heavyweight made an appearance to show her support for the centre, which will house immigrant criminals before they are returned to their homelands.

The MP stressed the importance of the centre, saying she is "committed to removing more foreign lawbreakers faster than ever."

Speaking at the opening, the Home Secretary said: "I am all for being able to welcome people here into the country who have the right to come. But it is important we remove criminals and illegal immigrants who are not supposed to be here. We have to move forward for the country.

"This means that we have to detain people, and I am so happy to be here today to open Brook House.

"By expanding our detention capacity, we're making it more difficult than ever for them to stay in the UK illegally.

"The message is clear – whether you're a visa over-stayer, a foreign criminal or a failed asylum seeker, we are determined to track you down and remove you from Britain."

The detention centre is the biggest of its kind in the country, and will house men only. They will be illegal migrants and foreign criminals, who are waiting to be deported back to their home country.

The centre is built with prison security standards in mind, as many of the men staying here will have come from jail.

A list of house rules is given to each detainee, printed in 11 different languages

A spokesperson for the Home Office said: "There is a huge level of security here. The people that are here are not happy about being deported home.

"This will be the place where high profile men come."

DO you agree with the idea of centres like Brook House? Are you happy it is on Horley's doorstep? Join the debate at www.thisis surrey.co.uk