LONDON – Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin has voiced strong concerns over the safety of women in Britain, linking the issue to recent patterns of migration. Speaking at the Reform UK conference, Ms. Pochin claimed that a significant number of migrants arriving via small boats from France hold “medieval views” about women’s rights, particularly those from predominantly Muslim countries such as Afghanistan.
Citing official statistics, Ms. Pochin stated that in 2024, 1,453 sexual assault convictions were recorded in the UK, with a quarter committed by foreign nationals. She further alleged that Afghan men are three times more likely to be convicted of sexual offences than individuals born in Britain.
“The majority of these arrivals are young, military-aged males. We can see it with our own eyes,” Ms. Pochin told reporters. “Women are at risk of sexual assault and rape from these men, many of whom are placed into our communities without proper security checks.”
She accused the previous government of covertly allowing at least 18,000 Afghan migrants into the country without security vetting, calling the situation a “national security issue” with serious implications for women and girls.
Reform UK’s Policy Proposals
Ms. Pochin said her party would introduce strict deportation measures targeting small boat migrants living in houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) and foreign criminals. She also pledged that police would be required to respond to every report of inappropriate sexual behaviour involving a migrant.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman responded, reaffirming that the Government’s policy is to deport foreign criminals who are not serving life sentences.
“They have no place in our prisons, no place in our society,” the spokesman said. “Deportation not only saves taxpayers’ money but also protects the public from dangerous offenders.”
Comments on Donald Trump
When asked about her views on former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ms. Pochin said he “clearly does respect women,” despite sometimes coming across as “a bit of a chauvinist.” She praised the number of senior women in his team, drawing a parallel with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s inclusion of women in senior roles.
Concerns from Other Party Figures
Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Reform UK’s mayor for Greater Lincolnshire, also addressed the event, sharing her personal experiences of threats and abuse. She criticised police inaction, saying she had received 70 threatening emails in three months, yet the offender was only cautioned.
As a mother, Dame Andrea said she no longer felt Britain was the safe place she grew up in. However, she also warned that the Government’s Online Safety Act could backfire by pushing harmful activity onto the dark web while curbing free speech.
