EIGHT residents of the Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker barge at Portland Port have absconded from the vessel in the past year, it has been revealed.

While men staying there are free to come and go throughout the day they must return at night - and must reside on the barge whilst their asylum claims are being processed.

The amount of absconders was revealed in a Freedom of Information request to the Home Office which stated that since the barge starting taking asylum seekers a year ago, eight have left the vessel and not returned, with their whereabouts unknown.

The barge, which is due to close in 2025 as part of the government's asylum system overhaul and is gradually being emptied, arrived at Portland last summer and in October, it began housing around 500 men.

READ MORE: Asylum seekers to return to Portland barge after two months

In July, following the general election, it was announced that the contract for the barge would not be renewed and the vessel would close in January.

READ MORE: Bibby Stockholm barge to close at Portland Port, Dorset

A government spokesperson said: “We remain in regular contact with asylum seekers to ensure individuals do not abscond.

“In the event someone does abscond we have a dedicated tracing capability that works with the police, other government agencies and commercial companies to trace individuals and regain contact.”

Background given by the Home Office said: "When an individual fails to respond or attend an event, we seek to get in touch at the earliest opportunity to understand the reasons for not attending which could be due to several factors, including illness.

"Where those efforts fail and an individual is considered to be an absconder, their details will be circulated on the Police National Computer and passed to the Immigration Enforcement tracing team who will conduct tracing checks as appropriate. 

"Many individuals who are out of contact may voluntarily re-engage with the department or decide to leave the UK."

South Dorset MP Lloyd Hatton said: "It is concerning that eight asylum seekers have absconded from the barge since its installation. This is another reminder of the many inadequacies in the Home Office’s asylum system under the previous Conservative Government. 

"This new Labour Government is clearing up the mess we inherited by shutting down the Bibby Stockholm barge. With my support, this government is closing costly gimmicks and building an asylum system that is firm, fair and fast."

One of the absconders is thought to be Ahmed Haffa, who was convicted of theft and assault in Weymouth in February, but failed to appear in court.

A warrant was issued for his arrest following his conviction.

The court heard Haffa stole a jacket from TK Maxx and then assaulted a BID Ranger and an off-duty security guard who had chased him.

He still has not been located by police eight months after his conviction.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Officers have been continuing to carry out numerous enquiries to try and locate the defendant. These enquiries remain ongoing at this time."