MORE details have been revealed of how Hampshire police will lead the hunt for criminals who have been released from prison without being deported.

The constabulary has been hand-picked to head up the nationwide manhunt for foreign national offenders who have been untraceable since their release from prison.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo, Hampshire Constabulary has been appointed

the lead force in co-ordinating the efforts to recapture those who remain at large.

A team of 60 staff has been drawn from the constabulary to form the Multi-Agency Information Group.

They will work alongside staff from the immigration service, HM Prison Service, the Probation Service and the Home Office.

In a statement issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers - the organisation representing police forces - a spokeswoman confirmed that Hampshire had been chosen to lead the national squads following the recent revelations that foreign nationals were not considered for deportation following their release from prison. She said: "Hampshire police is leading the intelligence and information-gathering operation from all agencies and police forces in relation to the 1,023 foreign nationals released from prison without deportation or removal having been considered, in order that the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND) can deal with the cases."

The spokesman added that the Hampshire force, which recently won its fight to remain an independent strategic force in the national police shake-up, had been picked because of its expertise in the field of forensics.

"Hampshire police was asked to lead, given its expertise in data collation and information-gathering through its work as the national DNA and Fingerprint Unit for the police service," she said.

Deportation proceedings have now begun on 574 of the 1,023 released men who have been traced.

Of the 79 most dangerous offenders identified as being at large, only

32 have so far been traced, with no further action being taken in nine other cases.