At the Interpol general assembly, the Prime Minister calls for a unified approach to tackle serious organised crime and enhance border security

In a significant move to bolster the United Kingdom’s fight against people smuggling, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced an additional £75 million in funding. This new investment, aimed at dismantling the networks of criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals, is part of a broader initiative to enhance the country’s border security strategy.

During a visit to the National Crime Agency (NCA) headquarters in London, where the Interpol General Assembly is being held for the first time in over five decades, Starmer revealed that this funding boost will raise the total allocation for the newly established Border Security Command (BSC) to £150 million. The financial support is earmarked for developing advanced technological hubs and expanding personnel dedicated to enforcement, intelligence, and prosecution efforts against trafficking organisations.

At the summit in Glasgow, which convenes senior police officials and ministers from nearly 200 Interpol member nations, Starmer is set to deliver a compelling message, urging global leaders to acknowledge the escalating threat posed by human trafficking and smuggling. He is expected to assert that “the world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge,” reinforcing the idea that border security is a matter of national and international urgency.

Drawing on his previous experience as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Starmer aims to foster greater collaboration among various agencies, focusing on uniting efforts to combat international terrorism and drug-smuggling operations. “I was elected to deliver security for the British people, and strong borders are a part of that—but security doesn’t stop at our borders,” he is expected to declare.

Starmer emphasises the moral imperative of addressing the humanitarian crises resulting from the people smuggling trade, noting, “There’s nothing progressive about turning a blind eye as men, women, and children die in the Channel. This is a vile trade that must be stamped out—wherever it thrives.”

The BSC, led by Martin Hewitt, will receive enhanced powers through a forthcoming Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This legislation is designed to streamline efforts to detect and disrupt organised immigration crime more effectively. Key initiatives under this plan include:

• The recruitment of an additional 300 BSC staff members to strengthen international partnerships and ensure the effective implementation of new legislation.
• An increase of 100 specialised investigators and intelligence officers for the NCA, specifically tasked with targeting individuals and groups involved in people smuggling.
• The introduction of advanced data exploitation technology within the NCA to facilitate better cooperation with European partners investigating trafficking networks.
• Establishment of a specialist intelligence unit focused on synthesising data from various police forces to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Improvements to the Crown Prosecution Service’s capacity for prompt charging decisions in cases involving international organised crime.

THE TELEGRAPH

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to unveil a £150 million package aimed at cracking down on people smugglers, implementing fast-track legal proceedings similar to those used during the summer riots. This initiative will enhance the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) capabilities, enabling quicker charges against smugglers as part of a comprehensive approach to address the rising number of illegal Channel crossings.

The funding will support the recruitment of 400 investigators and border security officers equipped with new powers to combat smuggling operations. Starmer’s strategy highlights the need for international cooperation, stressing that people smuggling is a national security issue that requires collaboration with neighbouring countries.

Additionally, a new Border Security Command will coordinate efforts between policing, Border Force, and intelligence agencies, bolstered by advanced surveillance and eavesdropping technologies. Despite the government’s efforts, critics express concern over the increasing migrant numbers, which have already surpassed 2023 totals, and question the abandonment of the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme.

As Starmer prepares to announce these measures, the effectiveness of this crackdown will depend on successful implementation and international partnerships to dismantle smuggling networks effectively.

THE GUARDIAN

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce a significant boost in funding and resources aimed at addressing the growing challenge of people smugglers in the UK. During a speech at the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, Starmer will unveil an additional £75 million, doubling the budget for the Border Security Command to £150 million. This funding will be allocated to high-tech surveillance equipment and the recruitment of 100 specialist investigators to target smuggling operations.

Starmer emphasises that tackling people smuggling is not just a national issue but a global one, requiring international cooperation akin to counter-terrorism efforts. He plans to implement measures such as shutting down bank accounts and internet access for smugglers, as well as seizing evidence pre-emptively.

Later this week, Starmer will engage with European leaders, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, at a summit in Hungary to discuss strategies for managing irregular migration. Despite a decrease in overall irregular immigration to the EU since 2015, EU nations are advocating for stricter measures and increased repatriation rates.

The Labour government’s initiative aims to consolidate efforts between policing, Border Force, and intelligence agencies, signalling a comprehensive approach to ensure border security and prevent tragic incidents in the Channel.

SKY NEWS

In a decisive move to combat people smuggling, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce an additional £75 million in funding for the Border Security Command (BSC), bringing the total budget to £150 million over the next two years. This announcement comes as Starmer hosts the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, marking the first time the UK has held this event in over 50 years.

The new funding is part of a broader initiative aimed at “smashing the gangs” involved in smuggling migrants across the Channel in unsafe boats. The BSC, established by the Labour government, aims to enhance the UK’s capacity to tackle this critical issue, which has become a focal point in national discussions on immigration.

The initial funding of £75 million came from the cancellation of the previous Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme, which proposed to relocate illegal immigrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing. The additional funds will be allocated towards advanced technology for the National Crime Agency (NCA), enabling agents to better analyse data and strengthen collaboration with European partners to dismantle smuggling networks.

Furthermore, the budget will support the hiring of 300 additional border security command staff and 100 specialist investigators and intelligence officers from the NCA, all dedicated to disrupting criminal operations related to people smuggling. Starmer’s week-long campaign against people smuggling signals a robust approach to ensuring border security and addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration.