An investigation into offences committed by those housed in asylum hotels has found that hundreds have been charged with crimes this year. Of the 32,000 people currently living in asylum hotels, 339 appeared before magistrates in the first six months of 2025 for crimes such as GBH, robbery and rape.
According to statistics, around 1.37 million people appear before magistrates each year, with the data suggesting that asylum seekers were around half as likely to appear than the general population. The investigation carried out by The Sun, believes that the number of asylum hotel residents appearing before the courts could be higher due to the Home Office’s refusal to publish the location of around half of the 210 believed to be operating. Of the cases monitored in the investigation, 29 related to sexual offences, consisting of seven alleged rapes, one proven incident of indecent exposure and another of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
One case involved an Ethiopian migrant who tried to kiss a 14-year-old schoolgirl just days after arriving.
Of the crimes, 64 were for violence-related offences such as ABH and GBH as well as possession of a firearm.
The figures show that around 1% of the asylum hotel occupants have appeared in court so far this year, compared to 2% of the general population.
Despite this, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused the Home Office of endangering women and girls with their actions on asylum.
He told the Sun: “This shocking investigation lays bare the risk posed by these illegal immigrants.
“Women are being raped and sexually assaulted and even police officers attacked. We know that the nationalities crossing the Channel are 24 times more likely to wind up in prison than average.
“Yvette Cooper has let in the highest-ever number of illegal immigrants so far this year and has lost control of our borders.
“Women and girls are at risk as a result. I’m sick of the crime being committed by illegal immigrants coming from France. We just need to deport them all immediately upon arrival, whether to Rwanda or elsewhere.”
The Home Office: “While The Sun’s analysis covers only one in 2,000 of the cases that go to court in our country, there is no excuse for people who abuse our country’s hospitality and commit crimes after arriving here.”
The UK and France have agreed to work together to combat the surge in small boat crossings across the English Channel which have seen more than 20,000 people make the journey so far this year.
The two countries will pilot a “one in, one out” scheme which will see some small boat arrivals being detained and returned to France.
In return an equal number of migrants will then be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route.