NEARLY 7,000 foreign criminals who should have been deported from the UK are still living in the country FIVE YEARS after they were released from prison.
Fresh figures obtained by The Jattvibe reveal the number of overseas offenders still in Britain more than half a decade after they should have been removed has doubled in just four years.
Nigerian criminal Gift Oladele avoided deportation after a previous sex attack, but then went on to rape a teenager Credit: North Wales Police
Under new laws, any non-British or non-Irish citizen sentenced to at least 12 months’ imprisonment in the UK is subject to automatic deportation.
But many foreign offenders released back into the community then appeal against their deportation by claiming a breach to their right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
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A Freedom of Information response reveals 6,945 foreign criminals who are subject to deportation remain on Britain’s streets more than five years after their custodial sentence ended.
That figure has doubled since 2022, up from 3,460, according to previous Home Office figures.
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The Jattvibe can reveal the number of FNOs subject to deportation who are still living in the UK after five years has doubled since 2022
The Government says more than 11,700 foreign criminals including murderers and rapists have been removed since the last election Credit: Home Office
Hundreds are suspected to have exploited delays in their deportations by putting down roots in the UK, which makes it much more difficult for them to be removed after marrying or having children born and brought up in Britain.
In 2025, it was revealed Albanian criminal Klevis Disha appealed his deportation by claiming it would be “unduly harsh” as his son “did not eat the type of chicken nuggets available abroad.”
Meanwhile, it was revealed last month that a Romanian national, known only as Mr Hirtie, was convicted of wounding with intent, and sentenced to 39 months imprisonment.
But he also avoided deportation on Article 8 grounds because of the ‘psychological impact’ separation would have on his partner.
Other overseas offenders claim they will suffer inhumane or degrading treatment in their home country if they were returned.
Nigerian criminal Gift Oladele successfully fought a deportation case on human rights grounds after he was jailed for a sexually motivated attack in 2022.
The 24-year-old was allowed to remain in Britain but then went on to rape a teenager on her way home from a night out in Wrexham just two years later.
Oladele was jailed for 17 years in April 2026.
Videograb from the Home Office clip which shows men being deported from the UK to Albania in 2025 Credit: Home Office
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told The Jattvibe the public are “furious” the Government cannot deport foreign criminals Credit: PA
The Jattvibe also exposed a Jamaican rapist who said he did not know having sex with a sleep woman was wrong, could not be deported because he claimed he would be targeted in his native country for being bisexual.
The 41-year-old man was branded a “danger to the community” by the Home Office, but a judge ruled that he allowed to stay in the country on the basis of his sexuality.
Our probe also found a further 5,002 foreign criminals remain living in the community after leaving prison between 2 – 5 years ago.
And another 5,433 overseas offenders are back on the streets after being released up to two years ago.
Recent Home Office data shows that 21,294 offenders are still living in the UK despite facing deportation in June 2026. That figure has more than tripled in a decade from 5,928 in June 2016.
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Foreign criminals living in our communities should be deported.
“Every foreign criminal we cannot deport is someone who could threaten the community. We have seen near-daily stories of vile and heinous crimes being committed by foreign criminals.
“The public are furious that we cannot deport those with no right to be here, and they are right to be furious. That is why the next Conservative Government will leave the ECHR so we rapidly remove foreign criminals.”
A government spokesperson said: “Over 11,700 foreign criminals including murderers and rapists have been removed since the last election.
“Any foreign national who receives a prison sentence in the UK is referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity and will be barred from ever returning.”
