EXCLUSIVE: Footage shows suspected people smugglers being arrested as the Home Office announced the number of small boat operations disrupted in the UK has rocketed
Dramatic footage shows suspected people smugglers being arrested as new data shows a huge jump in disruptions.
Data released by the UK Border Security Commander reveals arrests have gone up by 74% in the 12 months to March 31 compared to the previous year. The government’s border security and asylum minister, Alex Norris, told The Mirror the figures show the Home Office is bearing down on gangs responsible for small boat crossings.
The Home Office estimates there have been at least 1,900 arrests relating to trafficking gangs in a year. And data also shows that in the first three months of this year, there were 1,138 disruptions of organised immigration crime organisations. This compares to just 311 in the same period in 2023, when Suella Braverman was Home Secretary.
Mr Norris said: “This government is cracking down on the ruthless gangs behind organised immigration crime, driving a major 74% surge in arrests and putting more criminals behind bars where they belong.
“These figures send a clear message to those who profit from undermining our border security. We are coming after you and will not stop until your networks are dismantled.
“Since the election, we have made it harder for people-smuggling gangs to operate. With record disruptions, increased arrests and stronger international partnerships targeting criminal networks, we are bearing down on small boat crossings.”
When Labour came to power in 2024, it set up a new Border Security Command to target criminals behind small boat crossings. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said this has had a significant impact.
She said: “The public rightly expect us to control who and what enter this country. It is one of the most fundamental duties of the state and remains a top priority for me and the government I serve in.
“This report sets out significant achievements which amount to a major upscaling of the UK’s Border Security System. It has been a strong start – but further work is needed. We know that illegal migration remains one of the defining issues of our time.”
In a statement to Parliament she said an extra £100million had been invested into the system last year, with the government committing an extra £280million a year by 2028.
More than 12,000 people have arrived in the UK in small boats so far this year. This is a 44% fall compared to the same period last year.
In April this year the UK and France agreed that hundreds more police officers will patrol northern French beaches to stop small boat crossings.
Millions of pounds worth of drones and helicopters will be used to survey and prevent smugglers from packing dangerous vessels with migrants. The agreement will also see a 40% surge in officers assigned to stop small boats in France – with the UK warning that funding will stop without results.
The deal will see £500million invested to boost enforcement action. A further £160million will be spent if measures are successful.