A Home Office spokesperson said:
“We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
“The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
Background:
- On 6 March Martin Hewitt met with his French counterpart Patrick Stefanini where they deepened small boats cooperation.
- On 27 February the Home Secretary met with her French counterpart Bruno Retailleau to agree robust new measures to tackle people-smuggling gangs.
- On Thursday 30 January the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill was introduced to Parliament. This landmark legislation features new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs.
- Our new Border Security Command, led by Martin Hewitt, will strengthen our global partnerships and enhance our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute these evil criminals.