The ongoing crisis of small boats crossing the English Channel is sparking serious fears for the safety of women and girls across Britain. Robert Jenrick, the Shadow Justice Secretary, has spoken openly about his worries — especially as a father to three young daughters.
His concerns come amid rising incidents involving migrants housed in hotels and a growing sense of unease in communities nationwide.
A Father’s Honest Fears About His Daughters’ Safety
Jenrick, who has daughters aged 14, 12, and 10, didn’t hold back.
In a heartfelt article for The Mail on Sunday, he expressed how he dreads the idea of his children living near men who have entered the UK illegally, coming from countries with what he called “medieval attitudes.”
He said, “I certainly don’t want my children to share a neighbourhood with men from backward countries who broke into Britain illegally, and about whom we know next to nothing.
And I don’t want anyone else’s family to have this forced on them either.”
Alarming Crimes Spark Calls for Tougher Measures
Recent crimes involving migrants have heightened public anxiety.
For example, a Sudanese asylum seeker housed in a hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Warwickshire last week.
In London, another migrant was arrested for allegedly strangling a woman in public.
These incidents are part of a worrying pattern that has made many families fearful for the safety of their women and girls.
Jenrick called the Channel crossings a “national security emergency” and highlighted a recent case where two Afghan asylum seekers were charged with raping a 12-year-old girl in Warwickshire.
This particular case, first reported by Jenrick’s own newspaper, sparked widespread outrage.
Demanding Immediate Deportations and Aid Suspensions
In response, Jenrick urged the government to change the law to allow for the immediate deportation of foreign criminals, rather than waiting for them to serve parts of their sentences in the UK.
He also proposed suspending foreign aid to countries that refuse to take back their nationals convicted of crimes.
Specifically, he mentioned Pakistan, which currently receives £133 million in UK aid but reportedly blocks deportations until certain conditions are met.
“If countries won’t take back their citizens, we should suspend visas and foreign aid until they do,” Jenrick insisted.
He called on Labour leader Keir Starmer to take a tougher stance and accused him of being “complicit in a scandalous cover-up” for not releasing detailed criminal statistics by nationality and immigration status.
The Reality Behind the Numbers and Public Outcry
Jenrick cited figures from the Centre for Migration Control showing that foreign nationals are twice as likely to commit sexual assaults compared to the general population.
He argued that some migrants bring cultural attitudes towards violence and crime that don’t simply disappear upon arrival.
He also defended parents protesting peacefully outside hotels housing asylum seekers.
“I can only sympathise with the mothers and fathers who have been pushed to breaking point,” he said.
“Their response is natural: we must protect our children.”
Facing Backlash and Challenging the Establishment
Jenrick acknowledged that his views would be criticized by the “metropolitan elite,” but stood firm, reminding critics that he had previously been attacked for pointing out that some migrants hold “medieval attitudes” toward women.
His call for transparency, stricter immigration enforcement, and accountability for foreign governments refusing deportations adds fuel to the ongoing debate about migration, crime, and public safety in the UK.
