Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

More than 100 foreign criminals are being released in the streets of Britain every month instead of being deported due to slow judicial process and Human Rights act (16 May 2012)

Date: 16/05/2012
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, More than 100 foreign criminals are being released in the streets of Britain every month instead of being deported due to slow judicial process and Human Rights act

There are more than 3,900 overseas convicts who have been enlarged on bail into the community with the prospect of many, re-offending with 817 of them at large for more than five years.

More than 100 overseas offenders who should be deported are being released on to the Britain’s streets every month to protect their human rights.
A string of murders and sex attacks have been committed by foreign nationals who should already have been booted out.
The scale of the problem was revealed in a letter to MPs by Rob Whiteman, chief executive of the UK Border Agency. Mr Whiteman said that, in an average month, 110 foreign convicts were freed from immigration centres on bail.
Officials start proceedings to kick out the convicted criminals or offer them bribes to go home.
But having served their sentence, the convicts could continue to be held only under special circumstances if their deportation is imminent.
The offenders immediately take refuge in the Human Rights Act and take shelter under the article 8 of Human Rights act which protects an individual’s right to family life in the UK. The courts have to let them go as the appeals are lengthy and time consuming.
In 90 per cent of cases, the decision of not to deport were taken by a judge. In the remainder, the Home Office itself decided there was little chance of immediate removal so let them go.
UK Border Agency statistics show that of the 3,900 currently walking the streets, some 2,500 were released from jail more than two years ago – including the 817 who have been at large for five years or more.
Mr Whiteman admitted to MPs on the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee that foreign criminals were not being deported quickly enough.
He blamed the delays on lengthy judicial processes, difficulties obtaining documents from other countries and deliberate attempts to frustrate the system.
Immigration Minister Damian Green blamed Article 8 of the Human Rights Act – the right to respect for family life and private life – for many cases.
Leaked papers have revealed how released foreign criminals on immigration bail have committed a string of violent crimes including three murders, three kidnappings and 14 sexual offences, among them rape.
Six years on, only 399 of the convicts, who included killers and rapists, have been deported.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.