Afghans ’22 Times More Likely’ to Be Convicted of Sex Offences, Claims Migration Expert in Call for Tougher Controls
Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration Control, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as a surge in sexual offences committed by Afghan nationals in the UK, arguing many perpetrators “should not even be here.”
In an interview with GB News Originals host Steven Edginton, Bates cited Ministry of Justice data obtained via Freedom of Information requests, claiming Afghan nationals are 22 times more likely to be convicted of sexual offences than British nationals, with rates far exceeding those of other foreign groups.
“This is a huge problem,” Bates said. “Almost every week, we hear of another horrific case in an otherwise peaceful town, carried out against the people of this country by individuals who should not even be here. It is essential that the conversation recognises this fundamental fact and begins seriously discussing what must be done to stop these atrocities from continuing.”
He proposed solutions including a “high-risk list” of countries whose nationals are over-represented in certain crimes, barring entry similar to approaches under Donald Trump, alongside reviews of recent arrivals—particularly small boat crossers—and making foreign national crimes an aggravating factor in sentencing.
Bates emphasised the issue extends beyond Afghans: “This is not just about Afghans; other foreign nationals who have committed heinous attacks and received minimal sentences highlight the system’s failure… It is far past the time for tougher measures.”
Addressing the presence of large numbers of Afghans in the UK, Bates criticised the 2021 resettlement schemes, including two official pathways and what he called a “secret” third scheme under then-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
“Tens of thousands of individuals were brought in quietly, often at night, without appearing on official Government data,” he claimed. “Many were not fighting out of loyalty to the British state… Yet politicians, in their naivety, assumed we had a duty toward them. Essentially, a wide net was thrown open.”
Note: The 22 times figure, based on 2021-2023 conviction data and older population estimates, has faced criticism for potentially overstating the disparity due to post-2021 increases in the Afghan population and lack of adjustments for demographics like age and gender. Independent analyses suggest a lower multiple, though still elevated.