Over 1,500 convicts including rapists and drug dealers who should be behind bars are on the run
MORE than 1,500 convicts including rapists and drug dealers who should be in jail are on the run.
They were all recalled to prison after breaching early release rules, but have given authorities the slip.
It is nearly double the number of six years ago.
And in more than half the cases, the convict has been “unlawfully at large” for more than five years.
Among the 1,535 total are 51 sex attackers, 101 jailed for robbery, 325 for drug offences and 232 for violent crimes.
David Spencer, of the Centre for Crime Prevention, said: “If a criminal is likely to not follow the rules of their licence, they shouldn’t be back on the streets.”
Critics blame ex-Justice Secretary Chris Grayling’s disastrous 2014 parole privatisation, which saw 21 private firms responsible for 150,000 low-to- medium-risk convicts.
All offenders are now dealt with by the National Probation Service.
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Ministry of Justice data shows most of the missing breached rules by not keeping in touch with the authorities.
The National Probation Service said: “Over 99 per cent are returned to prison.
"These figures include some who have died or been deported.”