Between 2021 and 2024, Indian nationals in the UK recorded the largest percentage increase in convictions for sexual offences among all foreign national groups, with cases rising from 28 to 100—a 257% increase ([turn0news12]) ([turn0search0]). During the same period, foreign nationals overall saw a 62% increase in sexual offence convictions ([turn0news12]).
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice data, analyzed by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC), reveals that Indian nationals remained atop the list for these convictions through the period. Other nationalities with significantly steep increases included Nigerian nationals (166%), Iraqi (160%), Sudanese (117%), and Bangladeshi nationals (100%) ([turn0search0]).
Furthermore, Indian nationals registered the third-highest rise in serious offence convictions—up 115% from 273 in 2021 to 588 in 2024. These are sentencing occasions, not unique offenders ([turn0search0]; MoJ data).
Broader Context & Data Perspective
- In 2024, foreign nationals accounted for up to 23% of convictions related to sex offences—including sexual assault—despite constituting roughly 11% of the population ([turn0search7]; [turn0search22]).
- A separate analysis focusing on sex crimes against women found 26% of such convictions were foreign nationals. Indian nationals led this group in numbers ([turn0search11]).
- Concerns have been raised by critics about data limitations. The Guardian cautioned against drawing conclusions without considering demographic details, emphasizing that headline figures may mislead ([turn0news18], The Guardian report).
