FOOTAGE of illegal migrants being marched onto planes has been released for the first time as Labour hails 19,000 deportations since July.
Last month alone, 750 were booted out of the UK, including 360 foreign offenders.
It is understood some of them had been convicted of drug offences, theft, rape and murder.
The previously secret, high-security deportation flights were filmed for the first time and released by the Home Office[/caption]
Home Office image of security escorts surrounding a single migrant as he steps onto a chartered plane[/caption]
It is said to be part of a wider strategy to outflank Nigel Farage’s Reform UK[/caption]
It marks the highest rate of removals since 2018 – with deportation flights now taking off daily.
As well as the figures, ministers have also released stark images of the offenders flanked by guards as they are bundled onto planes bound for Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
It is said to be part of a wider strategy to outflank Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK and convince voters Labour is serious about tackling illegal migration.
Officials say four of the UK’s biggest-ever deportation flights have already taken off, carrying more than 850 people.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said releasing footage of deportations is part of efforts to restore public confidence in the immigration system.
She added: “That’s why, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we have put significant additional resource into immigration enforcement and returns, so those who have no right to be here, particularly those who have committed crimes in our country, are removed as swiftly as possible.”
Since July, enforced returns have surged by 24 per cent – while removals of foreign criminals are up 21 per cent.
To speed up removals, 1,000 extra staff have also been redeployed to immigration enforcement.
It comes as the Labour government is under huge pressure to slash small boat arrivals amid fears Reform is gaining ground.
More than 1,000 people have crossed the Channel this year, and Labour MPs in key northern battlegrounds fear the Government’s plan won’t stop the boats.
Today, MPs will debate Ms Cooper’s flagship Borders Bill, which will hand immigration officers counter-terror-style powers to flush out traffickers.
