Thousands declared ‘absconders’

Tens of thousands of foreign nationals including convicted criminals and illegal immigrants have disappeared off the Home Office’s radar, it has emerged.

At the end of last year, there were nearly 56,000 “declared absconders” – meaning authorities did not know their whereabouts, two reports from the immigration watchdog said.

More than 700 foreign national offenders were recorded as having absconded after being released into the community.

The assessments detail how about 80,000 people who are are liable to be removed from Britain are required to report to officials regularly rather than being held in detention while their case is determined.

The number includes those who have entered the country unlawfully, breached their original conditions of entry, face deportation as a result of committing a crime, and asylum seekers.

Ministers acknowledged that parts of the reviews published by Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration David Bolt made for “difficult reading”.

The reports warn there is “little evidence” that effective action is being taken to locate the vast bulk of absconders.

Immigration minister Brandon Lewis said: “We are conducting a fundamental review of how we establish and maintain contact with those who have not complied with restrictions placed on their stay in the UK.”