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53,000 migrants on the run in UK as new crackdown announced - 'national emergency' - DAILY EXPRESS
The Home Office is cracking down on illegal migrants, with 53,000 on the run, it has been reported. Department chiefs have reportedly set up a team to find criminals and those who have exceeded the time they can remain in the UK.
This comes after a whistleblower sent a reportedly leaked Government document to MP Rupert Lowe, which said there are 53,298 migrants who have breached immigration bail or escaped from detention. It added that there are a further 736 foreign criminals who are missing after being released from prison or detention.
The Home Office refused to confirm whether the leaked documents were genuine, but The Sun reported that they are similar to data leaked in 2016.
Mr Lowe said: "Our whistleblower investigations have revealed that there are 53,298 absconded illegal migrants, and 736 missing foreign criminals. This is a national security emergency. 65 staff is pathetic and woefully short - we need thousands on it. Every single illegal migrant needs to be rounded up and removed from our country. That is absolutely non-negotiable for the British people."
In response to a Parliamentary question from Lowe, a minister revealed that the team had been set up. Home Office minister Alex Norris said: "The Home Office has a range of tools to trace those who abscond.
"The number of staff involved in tracing activity varies across Immigration Enforcement depending on operational need, with c.65 staff currently dedicated to tracing activities, as well as resources elsewhere within the Migration and Borders System, who are responsible for recording information when individuals are found or come back into contact.
"The number of absconders recorded on Home Office systems can fluctuate, and there are no formal targets linked to a reduction in the number.
"The Home Office works closely with the police, other Government agencies, commercial companies and international partners to trace absconders and bring them back into contact.
"Where new contact details are found, we will consider the most appropriate intervention for the person, including arrest and detention for recording information when individuals are found or come back into contact."
A Home Office spokesperson said: "In addition to our dedicated tracing capability team, there are thousands of staff across the immigration system who take action against those who are illegally in the UK.
"Under this government, returns of people with no right to remain in the UK have surged, with almost 50,000 people removed - up 23%.
"The Home Secretary has announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in modern times. These will make Britain a less attractive destination for illegal migrants and will make it easier to remove and deport them."
