Inquiries by investigative organisation the Detail reveal information shared on dozens of victims
The PSNI also said in 2021, in response to a freedom of information request, that it does not share victims’ details.has revealed that information on dozens of victims was shared.
Muhammad Atif, a trustee at the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association, said the attack outside its south Belfast offices was reported to the PSNI, who investigated it as a hate crime. Kendall Bosquet, an advocacy officer at the Migrant Centre NI, said the PSNI’s decision to share information with the home office has put groups like hers in a difficult position. In a July 2022 meeting, senior PSNI officers told her the force had never shared victims’ data.
“We have seen people who are visa overstayers, because of the coercive control of their partners who purposely don’t renew their visa,” she said. “We’ve seen this come through the door. People who have irregular immigration status are then put in a really vulnerable position and are thus fearful to report abuse to the PSNI.”
He added: “We recognise however that victims of crime with insecure or uncertain immigration status are fearful that, if they report crimes to the police, their information may be shared with the home office.” The guidance states that: “When a victim/witness is suspected by an officer of being an immigration offender, the police will share information about them with the Home Office.”
“I would have grave concerns this would deter very vulnerable people, who really badly need the support of PSNI, and who need to be protected, this will deter them from reporting crime,” she said.
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