European criminals who commit even minor offences will be deported and banned from the UK for up to 10 years for the first time.

Making the announcement at the Conservative Party Conference, the Home Secretary said the Government does not need to wait until Brexit to introduce the measures.

Amber Rudd said that it would be made clear to courts what to take into account when considering deporting EU criminals and put them on a similar footing to other foreign offenders.

She added that EU nationals who repeatedly committed minor crimes would be kicked out of the country and face a lengthy ban.

And she promised to drive down net migration figures by delivering an "immigration system that protects our citizens and puts British citizens first".

In a speech that echoed Theresa May`s commitment to tackling immigration, Ms Rudd said: "While we are still members of the EU, there are things we can get on with immediately.

"We are going to overhaul our legislation to toughen our approach to deporting EU criminals and those who abuse our laws.

"We will make clear what our courts must take into account when considering the deportation of EU criminals, aligning their fortunes more closely with those from outside the EU.

"And going one step further, for the first time, we will deport EU nationals that repeatedly commit so-called minor crimes in this country.

"So-called minor crime is still crime - its pain is still felt deeply by victims. Now those criminals will face being banned from coming back to the country from between 5 and 10 years."

She also announced the Government would tackle the number of foreign students coming to the UK to study.

She said: "We will also look for the first time at whether our student immigration rules should be tailored to the quality of the course and the quality of the educational institution.

"I`m proud that we have world-leading centres of academic excellence. It`s a testament to our country`s proud history and our top universities` ability to evolve.

"But the current system allows all students, irrespective of their talents and the university`s quality, favourable employment prospects when they stop studying."

More about: