International students forced to queue through the night to register with police

In a bid to crack down on foreign students living in the country illegally, students are being forced to queue and register for a police registration certificate within seven days of arriving in the UK. 

The Metropolitan Police website stated: “Due to the start of the 2012-13 academic year, our office will be experiencing a larger than usual number of customers attending to register.  We operate on a first come, first served basis so it’s advisable to attend early in the morning.” 

However, officials in London are finding themselves unable to cope with the 30,000 students waiting to obtain the police registration certificate (PRC). Students have been arriving at the crack of dawn, queuing all day and still not reaching the front of the queue. With the line stretching longer throughout the night, with more students arriving in an aim to beat the seven day deadline, many are becoming concerned. They are spending valuable time waiting and missing classes and lectures as a result – an upsetting start to the academic year.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, the Metropolitan Police have decided to close the office today and reopen on Friday between 9am and 4pm, though closing again for the weekend. The situation has emphasised the need for more staff and a more organised system in order to successfully man the operation and ensure students are registered in a timely and efficient manner.

David Willetts, the Universities minister, is heading a global campaign to boost the reputation of UK universities after the removal of London Metropolitan University’s right to sponsor overseas students in the wake of false student claims.  However, this latest development on the mistreatment of foreign students, forced to queue through the night in a bid to collect a PRC, will do nothing to encourage future students to come to the UK.

James Clark