Seven new prisons will need to be built in the UK by 2030 to cope with the rising number of migrant criminals, the Leave campaign has claimed.
Former cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith has warned 3,993 additional jail places will be needed for EU convicts if current levels of migration continue, and if the percentage of migrants who commit prison-worthy crimes matches the rest of the UK population.
This is the equivalent of another seven jails the size of Full Sutton prison in York, which can accommodate 606 inmates.
Mr Duncan Smith believes that if the UK remains in the EU, the problem will only worsen in the years to come - with the likes of Turkey, Macedonia and Albania vying to join the bloc.
The Conservative MP and Out campaigner said: "Our prisons already hold over 4,000 criminals from the EU, costing taxpayers more than £150m a year.
"Our analysis shows UK taxpayers will have to pay an extra £400m just to keep EU criminals in jail. It will mean prisons are more crowded, less safe and less able to prevent inmates returning to crime.
"If we vote to leave, we can take back control of our borders and send EU criminals back to their own countries. We will be able to keep out terrorists and kick out criminals."
Vote Leave's estimate, which is based on net migration levels from the EU continuing at a rate of 184,000 a year until 2030, have been questioned by Britain Stronger In Europe.
spokesman for the In campaign said: "Even by their own standards, this is nasty scaremongering of the worst kind from Vote Leave.
"These made-up numbers are so baseless it's notable the current Justice Secretary, Michael Gove, won't put his name to it."
The latest claim followed an opinion poll by The Independent which gave the Leave camp a 10-point lead over Remain.
ORB's survey of 2,000 people found 55% of likely voters were in favour of withdrawing from the EU, compared to 45% who wanted to retain the UK's membership.
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