Foreign criminals who successfully evaded deportation were responsible for committing over 10,000 offences in the span of a single year, according to alarming figures released by the Ministry of Justice. The data reveals a troubling pattern of reoffending among non-deported offenders, sparking urgent calls for reform.
In the year ending March 2022, 3,235 foreign criminals released from UK prisons went on to commit 10,012 crimes — a 25% increase from the previous year. Among these offences were 1,412 violent assaults, 2,688 thefts, 213 sexual crimes, and even murder. The figures also include offenders who illegally returned to Britain after previous deportation.
Notable cases highlight the devastating consequences of these deportation failures. Jamaican national Ernesto Elliott, with 17 prior offences, was set for deportation in 2020 but remained in the UK following a last-minute legal appeal. Six months later, he murdered a man in a gruesome knife fight. Similarly, Albanian drug dealer Lloyd Byfield evaded deportation to carry out a brutal hammer and knife attack, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old woman.
The data also underscores how legal loopholes and appeals under human rights laws have delayed or derailed deportations. In Elliott’s case, interventions by celebrities and political figures invoked his “right to family life” to block removal, a claim echoed in numerous other deportation appeals.
The reoffending rate for foreign criminals released into the UK remains disturbingly high. Theft had the highest rate, with nearly 45% of offenders committing repeat crimes. These figures compound public frustration over the effectiveness of immigration enforcement and border security.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper faced questions in Parliament after the data was obtained by MP Rupert Lowe. Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick urged the government to intensify deportation efforts, stating, “Every lever of the state must be pulled to ensure these criminals are returned to their home countries.”
High-profile reoffenders like “Rolex Ripper” Amine Bentaib, an Algerian national, and Albanian burglar Dorian Puka further highlight the challenges. Bentaib attempted a high-value theft in 2023 after dodging deportation, while Puka, previously deported, flaunted his illegal return on social media, posing with a Ferrari and luxury watches.
Critics argue that gaps in enforcement have emboldened offenders. Even individuals previously removed, such as Armando Gjoka and Mauricio Myftaraj, were caught reoffending after re-entering the UK illegally. The Home Office has faced scrutiny for its inability to act until lengthy asylum claims and appeals are fully processed.
While the government asserts that deportation rates have improved under new policies, campaigners argue that the current system leaves citizens vulnerable to repeat crimes. As the nation grapples with this issue, calls for stricter measures and international cooperation to expedite deportations grow louder.