However, her time in post has seen the rate of prosecutions for offenses ranging from rape to burglary and theft continue to fall. There has also been a rise in the number of Channel migrants arriving in the UK, with numbers this weekend topping 27,000 – double last year’s figure. Ms Patel has yet to see Rwanda’s controversial asylum policy come into force as a deterrent after it was stalled by legal challenges. In her letter, she said: “Over the past three years, our approach to reforming immigration laws and fixing our broken asylum system has been steadfast and fair. “I know how frustrating the issue of crossing the English Channel has been. This is why we have completely reviewed all aspects of Channel operations covering back to sea and military and military intercepts in the Channel. This led to investment in new measures to prevent crossings and improved our cooperation with the French authorities. “We are working relentlessly domestically and internationally to dismantle the business model of evil people-trafficking gangs who show disregard for human life and profit from the exploitation and misery of others.” He said the Rwanda policy, plans for new Greek-style reception centers and reforms to the Modern Slavery Act would lead to “permanent reforms” to the UK’s asylum and removal system.
