Police Arrest Convicted Sex Offender Released in Error

London police have arrested a convicted sex offender and asylum-seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who was mistakenly released from prison, raising significant concerns for the government. The arrest took place in the Finsbury Park area of north London. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Kebatu would be deported as soon as possible.

Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, had been in the news prior to his release due to his involvement in the sexual assault of a teenage girl. His arrest earlier this year sparked widespread anti-migrant protests across London and other cities. Authorities reported that they were notified on Friday afternoon that Kebatu had been released in error from a prison in Chelmsford, Essex, and was seen boarding a train towards London.

The release was attributed to a categorization error, which led to Kebatu being classified as a prisoner eligible for release rather than being transferred to an immigration detention centre. In September, he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for five offenses, including the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in July, shortly after arriving in England by boat.

Protests erupted outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London, where Kebatu was staying with other newly arrived migrants. Thousands participated in these demonstrations, which were often met with counter-rallies organized by groups like Stand Up to Racism. Tensions escalated as some protests attracted far-right activists, leading to instances of disorder.

The Prison Service has announced that an officer involved in Kebatu’s release has been removed from their duties while an investigation is conducted. Government officials have labeled the mistaken release as an “egregious failure.” Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized the need for immediate strengthening of prisoner release checks and pledged that a thorough investigation would determine accountability.

“This man was behind bars because of serious sex offenses,” Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Sky News following Kebatu’s arrest. “He is not meant to be in this country. In fact, he was supposed to be transferred for deportation. The idea that he’s loose on our streets is incredibly serious. It is a serious failure.”

The issue of unauthorized migration has surged to the forefront of British politics. To date, more than 36,900 people have made the perilous journey across the English Channel from France to the UK this year, surpassing the total recorded for all of 2024. Efforts by British and French authorities to combat people smuggling gangs and deter migrants have yielded limited success.

Criticism has also been directed at the government’s policy of housing migrants in hotels while they await decisions on their asylum status. As the political landscape continues to evolve, this incident highlights the complexities surrounding immigration and public safety in the UK.