Cooper Says UK Collaboration with European Partners to Combat People Smuggling

September 6, 2024 TruthUSA

The home secretary mentioned that progress is being made by the government in resolving the asylum backlog and repatriating individuals who do not have the right to stay in the UK.

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, stated that the government is committed to combatting people smuggling operations and is collaborating with European allies to address this criminal activity.

Cooper announced on Friday that significant progress has been seen over the last two months in disrupting people smuggling operations at their roots, resulting in substantial seizures of boats and equipment in Europe.

She added, “However, there is still work to be done, and the Border Security Command will bring together all relevant authorities to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute these networks, while strengthening relationships with key international partners.”

Prior to chairing a summit on combating organized illegal immigration crime with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, ministers, and representatives from agencies like the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force, and the Crown Prosecution Service, Cooper made these remarks.

The summit follows a tragic incident where 12 asylum seekers lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel. The fatalities occurred in French waters, with the Mayor of Le Portel describing the dire situation where the asylum seekers’ dinghy was severely damaged.

Regarding these deaths, Cooper emphasized, “These criminal gangs should not remain unaccountable, and that is why we are resolute in pursuing them.”

Ahead of the meeting at the NCA headquarters in London, Cooper also mentioned that the government is making headway in clearing the asylum backlog and deporting individuals with no legal right to reside in the UK to eliminate the need for costly asylum accommodations.

Dismantling the Criminal Networks

In May, Labour announced its intent to utilize strategies and resources used in counterterrorism efforts to dismantle illegal immigration criminal networks. This included the establishment of a Border Security Command to facilitate cooperation between the NCA, Border Force, and even the domestic intelligence agency, MI5.

Although the Border Security Command is still in the process of being set up two months following Labour’s assumption of power, the meeting on Friday indicates that this intelligence-oriented, multi-agency approach is already in motion.

As per a statement from the Home Office, the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) has been utilizing undercover resources to aid the NCA in disrupting and dismantling criminal networks at every level of operation—from enablers to funders.

UKIC was represented at the home secretary’s meeting, which focused on progress in intercepting and neutralizing the criminal networks facilitating the movement of people and boating equipment along France’s coastline and into the English Channel.

Strengthened International Collaborations

In recent weeks, the government has been working to enhance partnerships with European countries, including Europol, to disrupt people smuggling activities.

The NCA has closely collaborated with Bulgarian authorities and established an NCA presence in Bulgaria, a crucial transit country. This partnership has resulted in intercepting over 40 small boats and engines in recent weeks, which according to the government, could have potentially aided 2,400 individuals in illegally reaching Britain.

Furthermore, there has been a 50% increase in the number of NCA officers stationed in Europol to reinforce efforts, with a new post created in Austria and officers permanently deployed in Romania.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the National Crime Agency headquarters in London, England, on Sept. 6, 2024. (Benjamin Cremel/PA Wire) — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the National Crime Agency headquarters in London, England, on Sept. 6, 2024. Benjamin Cremel/PA Wire

The government is also engaging with partners in distant regions, such as Libya, where British authorities are collaborating with local law enforcement to target smuggling networks moving people through the North African nation to Europe.

Last week, the home secretary disclosed the addition of 100 specialist investigators globally.

The NCA is expanding its international network focused on combatting illegal immigration, including efforts in southeast Asia, where gangs widely promote cross-Channel transit.

‘Surrendered to the Smuggling Gangs’

During the current week, 1,276 illegal immigrants have crossed the English Channel, bringing this year’s provisional total to 22,328.

Since the assumption of power by Labour, 8,754 asylum seekers have successfully crossed.

Robert Jenrick, a former immigration minister and a leading candidate in the Conservative leadership race, criticized Labour for “surrendering to the smuggling gangs” by discarding the previous government’s plan to relocate illegal immigrants to Rwanda, which the Conservatives believed would act as a deterrent.

Jenrick expressed to Sky News: “Today, Yvette Cooper will meet with the National Crime Agency and police chiefs, and they will reiterate what they conveyed to me during my tenure as minister—that while it is crucial to conduct this work, it is insufficient. A deterrent mechanism is imperative.”

PA Media contributed to this report.

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