The Home Office is facing renewed criticism after internal data revealed that an average of 10 assaults a day were recorded against asylum seekers in its care between January 2023 and August 2024.
A total of 5,960 incidents of assault were logged, alongside 380 referrals for hate crimes, according to figures obtained under Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation.
The disturbing statistics come amid increasingly hardline government rhetoric and policies targeting those who arrive in the UK via small boats. Measures include expanded forced removals, the potential return of migrants to France or third countries, and legislation allowing for the revocation of British citizenship.
The figures also show that the Home Office recorded 11,547 reports of asylum seekers being victims of trafficking, as well as 4,686 reports of torture, during the same period.
Steve Smith, CEO of the refugee charity Care4Calais, said the data was “appalling but not surprising.” He added:
“Our volunteers report safeguarding concerns to the Home Office and its contractors almost daily. Yet, these are routinely brushed aside.”
Serious Complaints Escalating, Yet Issues Go Unresolved
Separate FoI data, also released by Care4Calais, revealed that in 2024 alone, the Home Office received 1,476 serious complaints from Migrant Help, a charity contracted to assist asylum seekers.
Of those, 367 related to the behaviour of contractors working directly with vulnerable individuals.
Both data sets are likely underestimates, as many asylum seekers fear that reporting abuse may negatively impact their claims—or simply believe no meaningful action will be taken. Even Home Office sources acknowledged that multiple safeguarding referrals may relate to the same individual.
Official guidance claims there is a “zero-tolerance” policy towards harm, abuse, or exploitation in asylum accommodation. However, mounting evidence paints a starkly different picture.
Parliamentary Inquiry Uncovers Culture of Fear and Abuse
A cross-party parliamentary inquiry by the Home Affairs Select Committee is currently investigating the state of asylum accommodation.
Over 100 submissions from individuals and advocacy organisations have highlighted widespread safeguarding failures.
In its written evidence, the British Red Cross pointed to an “inadequate safeguarding culture”, with many asylum seekers feeling either “physically or psychologically unsafe”. It detailed disturbing accounts of misconduct by staff, including sexual harassment and abuse.
In one hotel, women and girls reported a “pervasive culture of sexual harassment”, with several incidents of assault going unresolved despite being reported to staff.
Another case involved a security guard who injured a resident in a fight, but no action was taken to relocate the victim.
Further examples include a man discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt into a windowless room known to trigger his mental health condition, and a woman with one arm forced to collect leaking rainwater in buckets despite her disability.
Kamena Dorling, policy director at the Helen Bamber Foundation, said: “The volume of safeguarding referrals involving survivors of trafficking and torture is deeply concerning. We’ve warned repeatedly about the risks in harmful asylum accommodation, including suicide and self-harm, yet little has been done.”
In response, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Where concerns arise over individuals’ welfare, they can be referred to the asylum safeguarding hub. The welfare of those in our care is a priority, and this hub plays a vital role in delivering appropriate support.”
Despite this statement, campaigners argue that support structures are insufficient, with incidents routinely ignored and vulnerable individuals left in unsafe and degrading conditions.
