Police Face First ‘Super-Complaint’ Over Immigration Referrals

[naomi24]

Should victims of crime and witnesses to crime be exempt from police investigation of their immigration status?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/15/police-face-immigration-data-sharing-super-complaint

[dannyk13]

They are in the US so why not here.

[Baldric]

No, of course they shouldn't.

[cassa333]

No.

Although not the same it would be like a drug pusher going to the police because another one didn’t pay for the crack he was sold.

Or another... you are a victim of a mugging and to get DNA evidence from you they also get yours and find out you murdered someone ten years ago. Should they turn a blind eye to that murder just because you are a victim of crime?

A crime is a crime and just because you are a victim doesn’t mean you should get away with your crime.

[Hymie]

Ask yourself this; after having been a victim of a crime, would you report it to the police if you knew that as part of the police investigation they would investigate every part of your life for possible criminal activity.

Perhaps those believing that they had nothing to hide might answer yes, but are you sure that all the tyre tread depths on your car are OK, and you have remembered to renew your photo driving licence, you have paid the correct tax on any income etc.

I would not expect the police to investigate my immigration status when I report a crime (although I was born and have lived in the UK all my life) – why should the police investigate someone else’s immigration status just because of the colour of their skin or their name?

I believe that this super-complaint should succeed, the police should stop asking for the place of birth of people they interview - their name & address should be sufficient to identify them.

[Gladeian]

So being unlawfully at large in the United Kingdom isn't criminal behaviour ?

[ludwig]

No. When the police become aware of illegal activity, it's their duty to investigate it.

[Jackdaw33]

'Southall Black Sisters!' That says it all.

[naomi24]

//would you report it to the police if you knew that as part of the police investigation they would investigate every part of your life for possible criminal activity. //

That's not what this is about. It's about checking that people have a right to be here.

[retrocop]

We are going round in circles here. Not that many years ago the Met Police had ARO. The Alien Registration Office based next to Holborn Police Station.All foreign nationals had to register there with visa details including students etc.
It was the job of the Women Police at each police station to conduct
alien enquiries on their patch and arrest any overstays or other visa infringements.
Suddenly it all came to a close and we now have the position whereby no one has a clue who should or should not be residing or working here. Probably thanks to the EEC.

[retrocop]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10842

Sample of ARO cards

[dannyk13]

Retro, we also has a Special Branch dept who were responsible for all aliens.