More than 150 suspected jihadists and criminals have been stripped of their citizenship and banned from returning to the UK, it has been reported.
Ministers stepped up the “deprivation orders” amid fears that the collapse of Islamic State would lead to an influx of militants from Syria, according to the Sunday Times.
Quoting official figures and security sources, the newspaper said more than 40 suspects had their right to a passport removed this year, with about 30 targeted since March.
Those who have had their citizenship removed include gunmen and “jihadi brides” who travelled to Syria, it added.
They are all dual nationals, including British-born people with parents of different nationalities, because ministers cannot take away citizenship if it would leave a suspect stateless.
A senior security source told the Sunday Times: “There’s an awful lot of people we have found who will never be coming home again. Our number one preference is to get them on trial. If we don’t think that’s possible, we use disruption techniques.”
Last week, the Home Office revealed that six suspects in Britain who cannot be deported or prosecuted are subject to terrorism prevention and investigation measures (Tpims).
The security minister, Ben Wallace, said: “Prosecution and conviction is always our preference for dealing with terrorists.
“Tpims are one of a range of powers at our disposal to disrupt terrorism-related activity where prosecution is not possible.”