Starmer steps up the fight against ‘despicable’ human trafficking gangs as 32,000 people cross the Channel in ‘small boats’ this year

Sir Keir Starmer promised tougher action to “root out the despicable trade.” human trafficking about the Channel As official figures show, almost 32,000 people have crossed so far this year.

At one Interpol At the summit in Glasgow, the Prime Minister announced that funding for the new government’s Border Security Command will be doubled to £150 million.

Sir Keir, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, has argued that using anti-terror-style tactics and powers to target the gangs behind the ‘small boats’ could dramatically reduce them.

Tragically, a growing number of people, including children, have drowned in the Channel this year after leaving the French coast in ‘small boats’ in an attempt to reach Britain.

The additional funding will be used to finance high-tech surveillance equipment and 100 specialized investigators who will focus on criminals involved in human trafficking.

The Prime Minister was expected to say: “The world must wake up to the seriousness of this challenge.

“There is nothing progressive about turning a blind eye when men, women and children die in the Channel.

“This is a despicable trade that must be eradicated – wherever it flourishes. So we follow our approach counter-terrorism – that we know works, and applying that to the gangs, with our new Border Security Command.”

The government plans to legislate to give border security forces “enhanced” powers, which is expected to entail an expansion counter-terrorism tactics to tackle human trafficking.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, Announced in the King’s Speech in July, it will be the fourth piece of immigration legislation since 2022 as successive governments have tried to tackle the issue with few signs of success so far, including the Tories’ failed deportation program in Rwanda.

Sir Keir’s speech comes after more than 5,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats in Octobermaking it the busiest month of the year for crossings so far.

The crossings continued into November, with 433 people arriving in Britain via small boats in the first two days of the month.

A total of 31,904 people have made the trip so far this year, an increase of 16.5% from the same point in 2023 (26,699), but still a decrease of 22.1% from the same point in 2022 ( 39,929).

Later this week, the Prime Minister is expected to attend a European Political Community summit Hungarywhere migration and human smuggling are expected to be on the agenda.

Along with the investment in the Border Security Command, the Prime Minister will announce a £6 million increase in UK support for Interpol in tackling global organized crime.

The Government will also provide £24 million to tackle serious international crime against Britain, including drugs, firearms and fraud, especially in the Western Balkans.

Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, said: “Serious and organized crime causes more harm, to more people, and more often than any other threat to national security. And almost all serious and organized crime now has an international connection.

“Distance, borders and languages ​​are meaningless to criminals. That’s why collaborations with Interpol have never been as important as they are today.

“Tackling organized crime, and especially immigration crime, remains a top priority for the NCA. We are currently leading around 70 investigations into gangs or individuals involved in the highest levels of this type of crime, and we are devoting more resources to them than ever before.”

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “Keir Starmer’s announcement on tackling gangs will mean absolutely nothing without a deterrent to stop migrants making the dangerous journey across the Channel.”