In 2012, 28,909 people entered detention, an increase of 7% compared with the previous year (27,089). Over the same period there was an increase of 5% in those leaving detention (from 27,181 to 28,538).

Of those leaving detention, 60% were removed from the UK.

40% were returned to the community as follows

8,997 Granted temporary admission /release

152 Granted leave to enter/remain

1,913 bailed

Other 233

Of those leaving detention during 2012 (28,538), 18,804 (66%) had been in detention for less than 29 days, 4,782 (17%) for between 29 days and two months and 3,046 (11%) for between two and four months. Of the 1,906 (7%) remaining, 255 had been in detention for between one and two years and 67 for two years or longer.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, 7,091 people entered detention, 3% higher than the same quarter of the previous year (6,887) and 7,454 people left detention, 1% higher than the same quarter of the previous year (7,358).

Of those leaving detention Q4, 4,416 were removed, 3,038  (40.7%) were returned to the community.

As of the end of December 2012, 2,685 people were in detention, 11% higher than the number recorded at the end of December 2011.
Children: In the fourth quarter of 2012, 61 children entered detention. This follows falls from a peak of 322 in the third quarter of 2009, to a low of 19 in the first quarter of 2011. The recent rise in quarterly numbers of children entering detention shows greater use of Cedars pre-departure accommodation which opened in August 2011 in conjunction with a new process, the 'Family Returns Process' to manage the removal of families that began in March 2011.

Top 5 Detained Nationalities January/December 2012

Afghanistan     1,421
Bangladesh         2,067
India              3,859
Nigeria            1,965
Pakistan           4,248

Source UKBA statistical release