London: Expressing its determination to come down heavily on criminals of Asian and Afro-Asian origin in London, Britain has announced that refugees or asylum seekers who commit serious offences will be stripped of their right to remain in the UK.

The list of offences includes violence, sex offences, terrorism and drug crimes, the British Home Office announced on September 1 night.

Those who are convicted of particularly serious offences will be deported at the end of their custodial sentence. If awaiting a decision on asylum, their claim will be turned down, the announcement said.

"We need a message to go out that we will welcome you into the UK if you have a genuine wish to contribute to the country and your own well being. But I am not prepared to welcome you if you are going to make other people's lives a misery," Home Secretary David Blunkett said.

He said that only a small proportion of asylum seekers or refugees are involved in such crimes, but those that do must be dealt with firmly.

"These crimes have a disproportionate impact, harming not only their victims, but also community relations and trust in our asylum system."

The government already has powers under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to ensure that an individual sentenced to more than two years' imprisonment will have their asylum claim turned down. This new power extends these provisions to all refugees or asylum seekers convicted of serious offences.

PTI