UK Government Invests £100 Million to Tackle Migrant Smuggling Gangs

The UK Government has announced a £100 million investment aimed at enhancing border security by targeting networks that profit from smuggling migrants via dangerous small boats. The Home Office plans to recruit up to 300 additional National Crime Agency officers, deploy state-of-the-art detection technology, and acquire new equipment to dismantle these networks operating in the Channel and beyond.

This funding will strengthen operations of the Border Security Command, the NCA, police, and other law enforcement agencies, enabling intensified investigations into smuggling leaders and disruption of their activities across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. The initiative includes bolstering intelligence gathering on organized immigration crime, supporting capacity building efforts, and purchasing advanced technology to fortify UK border security and combat people-smuggling gangs.

Recent successes include the NCA's arrests of major smuggling figures, seizure of over 600 small boats and engines, and disruption of 351 criminal groups. The investment also supports initiatives like the 'one-in, one-out' returns agreement with France, facilitating the return of migrants arriving illegally via small boats. Additionally, funding will back the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce and new legislative powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, targeting online content that promotes breaches of immigration laws.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the government's robust strategy to dismantle small boat smuggling networks, from disrupting their supply chains across Europe to cracking down on illegal operations within the UK.