London: British Immigration Minister Damian Green has said that foreigners who took part in last week in London rioting will reportedly be deported to "send a tough message to troublemakers."
"We strongly believe that foreign national lawbreakers should be removed from the UK at the earliest opportunity. We also have the power to cancel visas of foreign nationals found guilty of criminal activity, and this is something we will be looking to do when these cases arise,” a newspaper quoted Green, as saying.
"Last week saw unprecedented criminality on our streets and the courts are now dispensing firm justice to ensure those responsible are punished," he added.
Among those accused of taking part in the disorder is a failed asylum seeker alleged to have looted clothes and money from a branch of British Home Stores (BHS) in Walthamstow, northeast London.
Under immigration laws, criminals from outside the EU are automatically nominated for deportation if they are sentenced to 12 months in prison.
European citizens are put forward to deportation if given a 12-month sentence for drugs, violent or sex crimes, or 24 months for other offences. However, the courts can recommend deportation in other circumstances and the UK Border Agency can revoke the visa of anyone found guilty of criminal activity.
ANI
First Published: Saturday, August 20, 2011, 16:40