GETTY New figures reveal up to 12,000 asylum seekers have escaped from immigration officers' sight

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An investigation has shown that of 77,440 asylum cases in progress, one in six skipped their first meeting with border chiefs and vanished. The 11,988 include migrants seized and held while trying to sneak into the UK but who have subsequently given authorities the slip.

We need to know if the Government has lost track of them. We must be sure we don’t have a situation where vulnerable people are dragged into the black economy and become victims of slavery Charlie Elphicke

A rise in numbers trying to cross the Channel from northern France has seen border security stretched to breaking point. Many of those intercepted are thought to have been set free to join illegal immigrants already here. The alarming Home Office statistic released to the Daily Express under Freedom of Information laws may even be the tip of the iceberg.

There was anger last night at the laxness of Charlie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover, said: “It is very concerning that some 12,000 asylum seekers failed to turn up for interview. “We need to know if the Government has lost track of them. We must be sure we don’t have a situation where vulnerable people are dragged into the black economy and become victims of slavery. “This is why it is so important these people are found.” The UK’s booming black economy is estimated to be worth £150billion, supporting at least 1.1 million people who could be here illegally. The scale of those who have disappeared from under the noses of immigration officials emerged after the Daily Express asked to know the whereabouts of five Iranians who sailed here in a dinghy.

Migrants go to extreme lengths to cross borders Fri, October 7, 2016 Desperate migrants fleeing Syria and surrounding places have been trying to sneak across borders in incredible ways. These include hiding in suitcases and sleeping next to car bonnets Play slideshow 1 of 40

They were held after being caught in Winchelsea, East Sussex, in July. Almost two months later no one has been able to officially confirm where they are. Border officials released the men, aged between 18 and 44, but ordered them to report in regularly. MigrationWatch UK’s Alp Mehmet said: “While illegal immigration continues to be a huge problem, the resources devoted to dealing with it remain inadequate. “The number of enforced removals has barely changed for 15 years.

GETTY One in six skipped their first meeting with border chiefs and vanished, according to figures

"The Border Force and enforcement teams must have the budgets, support and political backing to deal with illegal immigration.” Asylum claims rose by 38 per cent to 34,687 last year. Most came from Iran, Eritrea, Iraq, Sudan, Pakistan and Syria. Including dependants, the number stood at 41,563. Asylum cost the UK £546million last year. Ukip defence spokesman, MEP Mike Hookem, said: “The Home Office thinks it’s likely that people who land here illegally will be allowed to go free and return for an appointment another time. It is laughably naive or demonstrating a lack of funding and investment.

SWNS Charlie Elphicke said migrants had to be found for them to not end up in the black market

"We have a department not fit for purpose.” In a report last December, David Bolt, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, said: “Asylum casework managers told us there were 10,000 asylum claims where the claimants were not in contact or had absconded. “While teams could conduct residential visits to trace absconders, they were reluctant to as this was not a priority and was considered a drain on resources.”

GETTY Asylum claims rose by 38 per cent to 34,687 last year