New questions over asylum policy

The disclosure that an asylum seeker lived in the flat where DC Stephen Oakes was murdered highlights the inability of the authorities to control refugees.

Next month official figures are expected to confirm that 2002 saw the biggest-ever influx of immigrants claiming safe haven.

It is believed that 8,500 applications were made in October alone, pointing to the annual total bursting through the politically- sensitive 100,000 ceiling.

Of these, only about 10 per cent are judged to have a genuine claim for refugee status by fleeing persecution at home. The other 90 per cent are thought to be mainly economic migrants,

Yet, they cannot be refused admission until their claim has been checked and they have had a chance to appeal against refusal.

A small percentage - nobody knows how many because there are too few staff to monitor their movements - vanish into the informal economy, working as cleaners or cab drivers on stolen or false papers.

Most have no need to as there is an industry of solicitors and advice centres devoted to explaining how they can appeal or string out their stay. Some 41 per cent eventually get refugee status.

If they can avoid deportation for five years, there is a little publicised convention that the asylum seeker is automatically given exceptional leave to remain permanently.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has tightened the system by introducing photocards for claimants and detention centres but the numbers trying to enter Britain continue to rise.