MORE than half of Britain’s police forces are turning victims of crime over to the Home Office for alleged immigration offences, figures published today reveal.

Just three of Britain’s 45 police forces confirmed they adhered to guidance issued by the National Police Chiefs’ Council in December which requires forces to treat those reporting a crime “as victims first and foremost.”

The guidance states that victims should not be arrested for potential immigration offences unless there is “an immediate risk of harm to a specific individual or a wider group.”