More than 50,000 migrants are “missing” and could be free to roam the streets of Britain, according to a leaked Home Office document.
The note, entitled “absconder pool”, reveals how there were 53,298 migrants who had breached their bail or escaped from detention whose whereabouts are unknown by October this year.
It also shows a total of 736 foreign offenders have also slipped Shabana Mahmood’s net, having either absconded or gone missing after being released from prison or detention.
Most of that number are meant to be deported.
The Home Office itself has refused to confirm whether the 53,298 figure is accurate, though a spokesman talked up its deportation record under Labour.
But the document – brought to light by a “whistleblower” and sent to independent MP Rupert Lowe – appears to match up to existing data on free-roaming migrants.
In a 2016 report for the chief inspector of borders and immigration, it was revealed that there were almost 60,000 absconders.
Mr Lowe has now demanded that the Home Secretary “urgently” details the steps being taken to apprehend and deport the criminals.
“This is a national security emergency, and must be treated as such,” he said.
A Home Office spokesman, meanwhile, said: “Under this Government, returns of people with no right to remain in the UK have surged, with almost 50,000 people removed – up 23 per cent.
“Last week, the Home Secretary 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.”
More to follow…