Foreign criminal figures hit 4,000

ALMOST 4,000 foreign criminals whom the government wants to deport are at large, new figures reveal.

Some 2,500 were released from jail more than two years ago and more than 800 have been released for more than five years, UK Border Agency (UKBA) statistics showed.

Rob Whiteman, the agency’s chief executive, blamed lengthy judicial processes, difficulties obtaining documents from abroad and deliberate attempts to frustrate the system for the delays.

One criminal frustrated attempts to deport him nine times before he was sent back, Mr Whiteman told MPs on the Commons home affairs select committee.

One trick used by offenders is to tell officials on arriving home that they are not from that country, he added.