UK Border Agency files show that Britain is home to a record number of war crimes suspects from all over the world.

The human rights group which acquired the data, Aegis Trust, says mass killers, torturers, and warlords have found a safe haven from prosecution in the country.

Some of the criminals were linked to Afghan, Iraqi, Zimbabwean, Congolese, and Sudanese governments, mostly under former rulers.

Since 2005, the border agency has recommended the refusal of immigration status to 513 suspected war criminals.

Of those, 51 suspects living in the UK who were referred to the Metropolitan Police were not subjected to any arrests or legal actions.

However, the recent amendment to Britain's International Criminal Court Act will pave the way for the prosecution of individuals charged with committing war crimes since 1991.