UK reaches landmark take care of Germany to prosecute gangs behind small boat disaster

The UK and Germany have agreed a landmark deal that will see police crack down on smugglers storing small boats in warehouses.

New laws to be brought in by the German government will see authorities seize vessels earmarked for dangerous Channel crossings. Gang members smuggling people into the UK will be prosecuted as a result of the agreement signed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser.

Ms Cooper said lives will be saved as a result, with new laws leading to a surge in prosecutions. It follows the arrest last month of a 44-year-old man who was allegedly supplying engines and boats to smugglers. The Turkish national is accused of shipping supplies from his homeland, storing them in Germany before transporting them to Northern France.

These boats were used by smugglers to transport asylum seekers across the Channel, investigators believe.

The agreement with Germany will also see intelligence and law enforcement services share expertise and stop people smugglers using social media to attract business. So far this year, more than 70 people have died attempting to cross the Channel, including children.

Ms Cooper said: “We are clear that this cannot go on. Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together.

“Our new Joint Action Plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.”

Ms Faeser said: “By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk. Many of these crimes are planned in Germany.

“Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve.”

A crucial meeting of the Calais Group – which brings together leaders from Belgium, France, The Netherlands, the European Commission and its agencies, Europol and Frontex – will be held in London on Tuesday.

The summit will cover the role of illicit finance and intelligence sharing to tackle irregular migration.