Chief in Charge of Lockdown Policing Response to Head Border Security Unit

September 16, 2024 TruthUSA

The new chief, accompanied by the prime minister, visited Italy to discuss the significant decrease in illegal sea immigration by 60 percent in just a year.

Police Chief Martin Hewitt, previously in charge of enforcing lockdown laws during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been appointed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to head the new Border Security Command.

Hewitt, former chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, will lead efforts to combat organized illegal immigration and the criminal gangs involved in smuggling.

In a statement on Sunday, the prime minister’s office highlighted Hewitt’s strategic coordination experience in dealing with national threats such as terrorism, organized crime, and illegal immigration.

The statement also acknowledged his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts.

Criticism has been directed at the emergency lockdown laws and the powers granted to the police during that time. Some individuals were wrongly charged and convicted under these laws, as revealed by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2020.

In his new role, Hewitt will collaborate with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and European partners to ensure the security of the UK’s borders.

In his statement, Hewitt emphasized the importance of dismantling criminal gangs profiting from illegal immigration and ensuring justice and prevention of exploitation.

The announcement coincided with the tragic news of eight migrants losing their lives attempting to cross the English Channel. The Border Security Command chief joined Starmer on the Italian visit to learn how Italy successfully reduced illegal sea immigration by partnering with other countries and implementing strategic measures.

Starmer also addressed the change in immigration policy, opting out of the Rwanda scheme proposed by the previous government, which aimed to remove illegal immigrants for processing and integration.

Furthermore, Starmer highlighted the differences between the Italian-Albanian processing deal and the Rwanda plan, emphasizing the importance of preventing illegal immigration at its source.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right) speaks with Martin Hewitt (left) who has been appointed the head of the government's new Border Security Command, at an airfield near London, on Sept. 15, 2024. (Phil Noble/PA Wire) — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right) speaks with Martin Hewitt (left) who has been appointed the head of the government’s new Border Security Command, at an airfield near London, on Sept. 15, 2024. Phil Noble/PA Wire

Collaboration with Upstream Countries

Meloni noted Starmer’s interest in Italy’s partnership with Albania during a press conference in Rome, while Starmer focused on addressing root causes of illegal immigration.

Starmer acknowledged the success of Italy’s approach and emphasized the importance of working with upstream countries to prevent illegal immigration.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hold a joint press conference at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 16, 2024. (Phil Noble/PA Wire) — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hold a joint press conference at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy, on Sept. 16, 2024. Phil Noble/PA Wire

Starmer criticized the previous government’s Rwanda plan as ineffective and costly, highlighting his government’s efforts in returning thousands of people to their countries of origin.

The prime minister also announced plans for the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which will introduce powers similar to counter terrorism laws to combat illegal immigration facilitators.

This report includes contributions from PA Media.

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