Indians record sharp rise in UK sexual offence convictions: Report

Indians have recorded the highest percentage increase in convictions for sexual offences in the UK over the past four years, according to an analysis of official British data by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC). The think tank, citing UK Ministry of Justice figures, said convictions of Indian nationals rose by 257 per cent between 2021 and 2024, even as overall foreign national convictions for sexual offences grew by 62 per cent during the same period.

The CMC analysis showed that sexual offence convictions involving Indians rose from 28 cases in 2021 to 100 in 2024, an increase of 72 cases. Nigerians (166 per cent increase), Iraqis (160 per cent), Sudanese (117 per cent) and Afghans (115 per cent) made up the other nationalities with the steepest rises. Bangladeshis and Pakistanis also featured, with hikes of 100 per cent and 47 per cent respectively.

Overall, the number of foreign nationals convicted of sexual offences increased from 687 in 2021 to 1,114 in 2024. In comparison, British convictions for these crimes rose by 39.31 per cent in the same period.

The report also highlighted that Indians ranked third in serious crime convictions, with a 115 per cent increase between 2021 and 2024. The number of such convictions reached 588 in 2024, up from 273 in 2021. “There were almost 75,000 non-summary convictions of foreign nationals between 2021 and 2024... showing a general pattern of increase,” the CMC noted. However, the group added that convictions of foreigners for violent and fraud offences declined in the period.

The findings come weeks after UK Home Office data showed a sharp rise in Indian nationals held in detention, almost doubling in the past year. Indians also emerged as the second-largest group to receive study visas (98,014) and the largest for work and tourist visas to the UK.

Earlier this month, India was included in the expanded list of countries from which foreign offenders will be deported immediately after sentencing, before their appeals are heard. At the time, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country.”