Indian Nationals Record Sharp Rise in Sexual Offense Convictions in UK: Report

London, Aug 27 — Indian nationals in the United Kingdom have registered the steepest rise in sexual offence convictions since 2021, according to new figures released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Convictions involving Indian nationals rose by 257 per cent between 2021 and 2024, climbing from 28 cases in 2021 to 100 in 2024. In comparison, convictions among Nigerian nationals increased 166 per cent, while Iraqi nationals recorded a 160 per cent rise. The MoJ clarified that the data reflects sentencing occasions, not individual offenders.

Indians also ranked third in the growth of serious offence convictions among foreign nationals, with cases up 115 per cent — from 273 in 2021 to 588 in 2024. Algerian and Egyptian nationals registered higher percentage increases in this category.

Migration trends add further context. Home Office records show that 293 Indians entered the UK illegally by small boats in 2024, followed by 206 in the first half of 2025. Still, their numbers remain relatively small compared with Afghans, Iranians, and Syrians, who make up the largest irregular migrant groups.

As of June 2025, Indian nationals accounted for 15 per cent of illegal arrivals at UK ports. Of 5,474 asylum applications from Indians, around 4,000 were submitted by individuals already holding legal visas (mainly student visas), 400 by small boat arrivals, and the rest via other channels. Initial decisions have led to 2,691 refusals, 20 grants, with the remainder pending review.

At the same time, Indians continue to dominate legal migration routes. They form the largest nationality group acquiring UK citizenship, lead in the number of work and tourist visas issued, and were the second-largest recipients of study visas. By June 2025, 98,014 study visas had been granted to Indian nationals.

Overall, MoJ data indicates sexual offence convictions by all foreign nationals in the UK grew 62 per cent over the past four years. Last year, foreign nationals accounted for 14.1 per cent of such convictions, including rapes. In contrast, convictions among British nationals rose by 39.3 per cent during the same period.

The figures, drawn from the Police National Computer and compiled by the think tank Centre for Migration Control, come against the backdrop of record migration. In 2025 alone, 27,997 migrants have arrived in the UK via small boats — the highest number by this point in any year since such crossings began in 2018.

(Source: NDTV World)