More than 320 foreign criminals and immigration violators repatriated.

The individuals returned to their home countries comprised over 200 foreign national offenders, more than 30 asylum offenders, and over 85 non-asylum offenders, with at least 15 known to have entered the UK via small boats.

The foreign national offenders deported were convicted of various crimes, including rape and drug trafficking. Their total combined prison sentences exceeded 145 years.

Four charter return flights to Albania occurred in February, alongside 220 additional individuals returned to their home countries through scheduled flights. This initiative follows the Prime Minister’s announcement establishing weekly return flights to Albania, based on an agreement signed with his Albanian counterpart in December, which became effective at the end of January.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman stated:

We are fully honoring our commitment to return individuals who arrive here illegally or remain without the requisite permission.

Since the Prime Minister’s promise in December, we have observed a significant rise in returns as part of the government’s efforts to enhance public safety and address illegal migration.

That is why we have introduced new legislation requiring the immediate detention and swift removal of individuals who arrive in the UK illegally to their home country or another safe nation.

Overall, more than 690 individuals have been removed through 8 charter flights and numerous scheduled flights since January 1, 2023.

This figure includes over 450 foreign national offenders convicted of severe crimes such as rape, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms.

Since the Nationality and Borders Act came into effect in June, the Home Office has arrested 365 individuals. Of these, 245 have been charged, and 155 have received sentences totaling over 105 years. Among the arrests, 87 were for piloting small boats.

The statistics regarding recent returns are derived from provisional operational data. Detailed statistics on returns are available in the Home Office quarterly immigration statistics and migration transparency data, with the most recent data released on February 23, 2023.