Nearly three-quarters of Britons would ban asylum seekers from countries where women are not safe or treated equally, according to a poll conducted by Whitestone Insight and commissioned by the Women’s Policy Centre. The survey of 2,093 UK adults, conducted online from August 21-23, 2026, found that 73 percent of respondents would vote against allowing men to enter the UK from countries where rape, child abuse, and domestic violence are widespread, or where women lack equal treatment.
Furthermore, 66 percent of those polled believe that immigration from countries with fewer legal or social rights for women has contributed to a rise in reported sexual offenses. Of this group, 40 percent stated that immigration had a "great deal" of impact on this rise.
The poll indicated that older voters are more inclined to support such a ban, with 85 percent of those aged 65 and over expressing support. A majority of younger demographics also shared this sentiment, with 58 percent of 18-24 and 25-34 year olds in favor.
Concerns about the impact of immigration on sexual offenses were strongest among older respondents, with 77 percent of those over 65 expressing this view, compared to 58 percent of 18-24 year olds.
The survey did not specify particular countries, but the pollster suggested that respondents may have had nations like Iran, Afghanistan, and Egypt in mind. Paola Diana, Founder and Executive Chair of the Women’s Policy Centre, commented on the results, stating they are "unambiguous" and reflect a common-sense approach based on the realities of unequal treatment of women.
Recent events have highlighted concerns regarding asylum seekers and sexual offenses in the UK. In April 2026, two asylum seekers were found guilty of repeatedly raping a woman on Brighton beach after arriving by small boat in June 2025. Separately, in February 2026, an Afghan asylum seeker was convicted of abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton. This individual had arrived in the UK in March 2025.
According to Home Office data, police recorded 209,079 sexual offenses in England and Wales for the year ending March 2025, an 11 percent increase from the previous year.