We need to get a grip on small boats crossings – I have a plan to smash the vile people smuggling gangs behind them
When I took on the role as Border Security Commander, I was under no illusions about the challenges that lay ahead.
With small boats crossings to the UK ongoing, organised criminal networks exploiting vulnerable people, and the tragic loss of lives in the Channel, people rightly demand the Government gets a grip.
My role was created to overhaul our response to the people smuggling crisis and I am determined that when it comes to our borders, we will turn the tide.
To do this effectively, and in a way that lasts, will take time. A robust plan is needed to protect our borders and save lives.
When we talk about “UK borders”, we have to understand this goes far beyond what is happening between the southeast of Kent and the Northern French coastline.
Of course, that deadly strip of water that has claimed more than 60 lives this year alone is my focus. Even one death in the English Channel at the hands of profiteering people smugglers is abhorrent.
But if we are to prevent people from getting into those packed, flimsy, completely unseaworthy vessels that are effectively death traps, and secure our border as the UK public expects, we have to work with other countries to ensure that prevention happens long before migrants and boats even reach French shores.
That is why our new Border Security Command must bring levels of international joint-working and cooperation. This is not just a UK problem. It is a global one.
The launch of this Command, for the first time, provides a clear and long-term vision for delivering a secure and effective border.
I am bringing together all parts of our border and immigration system to tackle this problem head on. That includes: Border Force, The National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, Policing, and The Intelligence Agencies.
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By focusing efforts both in the UK and internationally, we are putting our full weight behind dismantling the criminal gangs.
The Government is investing £150 million directly into new technology, capabilities and specialist law enforcement officers, both here and across Europe.
Organised criminal gangs are becoming more and more sophisticated, actively changing and adapting their tactics to evade detection. A new plan and action to destroy their criminal business model is therefore long overdue, and this is exactly what we are developing.
Closer working between all our domestic organisations and agencies is critical. By building a clear picture of what is happening and where, we are in a much better position to cut off these networks at source.
As I know from my policing days, organised criminals need to be ruthlessly targeted from all angles to undermine and ultimately dismantle their business. So, we will be working with the banking sector to disrupt their cashflow in every way we can, with social media companies to stop the advertising they put out to lure potential victims, and we will continually attack their equipment supply lines.
We have tried and tested tactics for taking down terrorist gangs. Just as we know how to prevent gangs moving guns and drugs across borders, we will disrupt and intercept those trying to smuggle people across our borders.
The recruitment of the first 100 additional specialist intelligence and investigation officers is well underway, and we are increasing our presence in Europol. We will deliver more arrests, prosecutions, convictions, and ultimately, break the business model of people smuggling gangs.
In all my conversations with partners so far, no one underestimates the challenge, and everyone has been optimistic about the advantages greater collaboration can bring. When we work together to frustrate and disrupt more organised criminal operations and drive down their profits, we’re deterring others, sending a clear message that they can’t get away with it.
Already, this work has seen the interception of small boats and engines from entering the criminal supply chain, preventing thousands of Channel crossings and denying criminals millions in profit. The arrest last week of a suspected key gang member by The National Crime Agency in conjunction with law enforcement colleagues from Belgium and The Netherlands is a good example of exactly the kind of work that we will see more of as we develop the role of the Border Security Command.
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Soon, the Government will introduce the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to modernise the asylum and immigration system. The Bill will create new, stronger powers for law enforcement agencies to tackle, investigate and prosecute organised immigration criminals.
So, while work is underway and good progress has been made, I am under no illusion that this problem will be solved overnight. But I am confident that through strong leadership, effective partnerships and a clear, long-term vision, the new Border Security Command will deliver the lasting change that the British people want to see.