In total, there are 3,900 overseas convicts on bail in the community, free to commit new offences. Incredibly, 817 of them have been at large for five years or more, British media reported.
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.
Whiteman said that, in an average month, 110 foreign convicts were freed from immigration centers on bail.
In 90 percent of cases, the decision was 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.
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.
Whiteman also revealed that there are 11,127 foreign criminals in Britain’s over-crowded jails.
MOL/JR/HE
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