HUNDREDS of asylum seekers claim they were assaulted by security teams hired by the Home Office to forcibly deport them, according to a report published today.

HUNDREDS of asylum seekers claim they were assaulted by security teams hired by the Home Office to forcibly deport them, according to a report published today.

The report presents findings from a dossier of nearly 300 assaults, alleged to have taken place between January 2004 and June 2008.

The incidents include accusations of excessive force, beatings and racial abuse, resulting in injuries ranging from handcuff-bruised wrists, to swollen faces, and fractured ribs, wrists and ankles.

The abuse has been detailed by groups co-ordinating the representation and medical care of failed asylum-seekers.

The report says: "This dossier provides evidence of widespread and seemingly systematic abuse of one of the most vulnerable communities of people in our society.

"We consider the evidence in this report reveals what may amount to state sanctioned violence, for which ultimate responsibility lies with the Home Office."

The publication of the report follows up on similar allegations made in October 2007.

Dr Frank Arnold, a volunteer doctor with Medical Justice, said: "I have seen many serious injuries with long-lasting effects.

"They include the crushing of nerves at the wrist from forceful pulling on handcuffs, limitation of neck movement by patients whose heads were pushed under aircraft seats, numbness of the face after blows around the cheek."

Most of the assaults are alleged to have taken place as the failed asylum-seekers were transported for deportation.

Group4Securicor, International Trading Agency Overseas Escorts Ltd and RSI Immigration Services Ltd are approved by the Government to carry out the forced removals.

The National Audit Office put the average cost of an enforced removal in 2005-6 at £11,000.