Migrants in UK hotels face wave of crime allegations
The findings, based on court record analysis from 70 out of 220 hotels used to house asylum seekers, highlight a range of serious allegations including rape, sexual assault, drug offences, theft, and attacks on emergency workers.
According to the data, 312 individuals have been charged with a total of 708 alleged offences. These include 18 charges of rape, five attempted rapes, 35 sexual assaults, and 51 thefts. Additionally, there are 89 charges of assault—27 of which involve alleged attacks on police officers or other emergency responders—as well as 43 drug offences, 18 burglaries, and 16 robberies.
The investigation comes amid continued public concern over the UK's small boats crisis and the rising cost of accommodating around 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels, which is estimated at £3 billion annually.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp responded to the report, saying: 'This shocking investigation lays bare the risk posed by these illegal immigrants to the British public. We just need to deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival, with no judicial process, either to Rwanda or elsewhere.'
The report also follows recent revelations about a secretive government initiative to relocate 18,500 Afghan nationals to the UK, an operation projected to cost £7 billion. A rare 'super-injunction' reportedly prevented Parliament and the public from learning about the mission for nearly two years, after an official leak exposed sensitive data involving Afghan nationals—some of whom had previously had asylum claims rejected due to criminal histories.
Official statistics on crimes committed by asylum seekers are not routinely published by the government, and immigration status is not commonly disclosed in police reports, making it difficult to assess the full scale of migrant-linked criminality until now.
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Arab Times
3 days ago
- Arab Times
Migrants in UK hotels face wave of crime allegations
LONDON, July 20: A new investigation has revealed that over 300 asylum seekers residing in taxpayer-funded hotels across the UK have been charged with more than 700 criminal offences over the past three years. The findings, based on court record analysis from 70 out of 220 hotels used to house asylum seekers, highlight a range of serious allegations including rape, sexual assault, drug offences, theft, and attacks on emergency workers. According to the data, 312 individuals have been charged with a total of 708 alleged offences. These include 18 charges of rape, five attempted rapes, 35 sexual assaults, and 51 thefts. Additionally, there are 89 charges of assault—27 of which involve alleged attacks on police officers or other emergency responders—as well as 43 drug offences, 18 burglaries, and 16 robberies. The investigation comes amid continued public concern over the UK's small boats crisis and the rising cost of accommodating around 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels, which is estimated at £3 billion annually. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp responded to the report, saying: 'This shocking investigation lays bare the risk posed by these illegal immigrants to the British public. We just need to deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival, with no judicial process, either to Rwanda or elsewhere.' The report also follows recent revelations about a secretive government initiative to relocate 18,500 Afghan nationals to the UK, an operation projected to cost £7 billion. A rare 'super-injunction' reportedly prevented Parliament and the public from learning about the mission for nearly two years, after an official leak exposed sensitive data involving Afghan nationals—some of whom had previously had asylum claims rejected due to criminal histories. Official statistics on crimes committed by asylum seekers are not routinely published by the government, and immigration status is not commonly disclosed in police reports, making it difficult to assess the full scale of migrant-linked criminality until now.
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait bids farewell to four women diplomats
Indonesian ambassador Lena Maryana, British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, Head of the NATO Office at the NIRC, Nora-Elise Beck and Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani take a group photo. KUWAIT: The departure of four women ambassadors from Kuwait's diplomatic corps was marked on Wednesday with a farewell lunch hosted by Indonesian Ambassador Lena Maryana at her residence in Mishref. The gathering honored British Ambassador Belinda Lewis, Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani, US Ambassador Karen Sasahara, and Head of the NATO Office at the NIRC, Nora-Elise Beck. Ambassador Maryana described the gathering as more than a farewell — it was a tribute to the connections formed through shared purpose, respect and sisterhood. 'It's a bitter situation,' she said, referring to the departure of what she described as 'four strong ladies.' British Ambassador Belinda Lewis who completed her tenure with a focus on education, security, and cultural exchange, expressed gratitude for the solidarity she found among fellow women diplomats. 'I've learnt a great deal from so many of you, and I will take that sense of camaraderie and strength with me wherever I go.' Lewis spoke candidly about the challenges that come with leadership roles and the comfort found in having a trusted circle of peers. 'Sometimes we just have hard days,' she said. 'There are times where I sit there and I'm not sure who to ask, and I'm nervous or scared that I'll get it wrong. But knowing there are people you can turn to, who will listen and not judge you — that's worth its weight in gold.' Canadian Ambassador Aliya Mawani reflected on her three-and-a-half years in Kuwait with a similar tone of gratitude. 'So many people in this group have been instrumental in my learning about Kuwait, in my really feeling at home,' she said. 'This isn't just a network — it's a group of women who lifted each other and helped each other grow.' She also highlighted the practical value of having a supportive community. 'Many of us are first-time ambassadors and working parents. Just hearing someone say, 'You don't have to show up to everything — I know you have things to do,' made all the difference.' Nora-Elise Beck, who headed NATO's presence in Kuwait, reflected on her experience as a woman in the security field, often having to counter gender-based assumptions. 'I get asked, 'As a woman, how do you do your job in security?' And my response is always, 'As a man, how do you?'' she said. 'That kind of question wouldn't even be asked of them.' She added, 'One of the reasons I'm able to do my job is because of the support I got from all the women in Kuwait.' Despite her extensive experience across the Middle East, Beck noted that the professional solidarity she found in Kuwait was unlike anything she had encountered before. 'This kind of professional backing among women — I haven't experienced it before. I hope it's not unique to Kuwait. I hope we can replicate it in other environments.' Although US Ambassador Karen Sasahara was unable to attend due to departure preparations, she was remembered fondly by her peers and honored for her leadership and warmth throughout her time in Kuwait. Ambassador Maryana concluded her remarks with a heartfelt message to the departing diplomats: 'Though your time here will be finished soon, the mark you've left is lasting.'
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Arab Times
The tragedy of Manushak and the cleric
In the late 1950s, the late Amir Abdullah Al-Salem learned that the British planned to request the allocation of Area G1 as a military base. He immediately ordered the Ministry of Defense to relocate from its original site in Safa Square to Area G1, as it was then known on maps. I was reminded of this while reading a letter from Iraqi-Armenian immigrant Manushak Dikran, who wrote, 'We lived in Iraq in the city of K3, a small station established by the British to oversee the oil pipelines running from the north to the Mediterranean ports via Syria. Its residents were a diverse mix of Iraq's various communities. Omar was friends with Sargon, Ali was close to Ashur, Hussein was inseparable from Minas, Boutros, and Othman. They all shared games, daily life, studies, and even religious celebrations. The city had two schools, one for girls and one for boys, separated by a single wall. It had only a mosque and a church. No one paid attention to each other's sect or questioned the presence of different faiths. All religious rituals took place either in the mosque or the church, which was attended by Chaldeans, Assyrians, Armenians, Syriacs, Catholics, and Orthodox alike. Priests from each sect were rarely present, usually only on holidays or very special occasions. Muslim women, dressed in their black abayas, often arrived at the church before others, joining in prayers, weddings, and celebrations. Similarly, Christians would visit shrines to offer sacrifices and vows. Despite the station's nearly 500 houses, everyone shopped at the same bakery, the same grocer, and the same butcher. No one paid attention to the concepts of halal or haram. There was only one hospital, and if Ahmad needed blood, Minas would donate for Mohammad, Omar for Ali, and so on. We grew up and eventually left the station, whether in search of education, jobs, or to find a spouse. Wherever we went, we carried with us the unique values and morals of K3 that shaped us. It was no surprise that nearly all who emigrated achieved notable financial or professional success. One day, Hormuz, a resident of K3 living abroad in America, decided to create a website to reconnect with his family and friends. With great effort, he succeeded in bringing them back together. He gathered news about nearly everyone, their addresses and thousands of family photos, after almost three decades of separation. This reunion sparked lively and joyous gatherings, celebrations, and weddings attended by people from various countries. At one such event, Hormuz was elected as the station's mukhtar, for life.' --- This is a true story... K3 still exists in Anbar Governorate. However, the situation has changed, as the original inhabitants have since been displaced. My friend and reader Nizar Malak from Canada commented on Manushak's message, saying, 'I was deeply moved by it and am familiar with K3. It is located near the Syrian border, and Kirkuk's oil, originating from northeastern Iraq, passes through it. Armenian billionaire Gulbankian played an instrumental role in facilitating the oil exploration agreement between the Iraqi government and Western oil companies there.' Manushak's story reminded him of his close lifelong friendship with Philip Bidavid. They had been more like brothers for 60 years. Their bond never broken, and neither had ever offended the other. Yet, neither had ever asked about the other's religion. Manushak wondered why such human relationships were now being destroyed. I told him to look for those who benefit, perhaps a dictator or a religious leader.
