Keir Starmer Targets People Smuggling with 300 New Officers in Border Security Push
Keir Starmer has unveiled a bold crackdown on criminal smuggling gangs, with 300 new National Crime Agency officers set to join the front line of Britain’s border defence. The move comes as migrant Channel crossings skyrocket past 25,000 this year, a near 50% increase on previous records.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed a £100 million funding injection to turbocharge the UK’s Border Security Command, aimed squarely at dismantling the sophisticated networks profiting from dangerous small boat crossings.
“This is no gimmick. It’s a serious shift in strategy,” said an official at the Home Office, highlighting the deployment as the largest increase in NCA resources since the agency’s formation.
The investment triples the number of new officers originally promised under the government’s command initiative, set up under ex-police chief Martin Hewitt.
Alongside manpower, the funding will fuel a wave of cutting-edge technology, including AI-assisted data tracking, advanced surveillance kits, and covert monitoring tools, to hunt and halt traffickers.
So far this year, over 25,400 people have crossed the Channel in small boats. If the trend holds, crossings could surpass 60,000 by year-end.
In her announcement, Ms Cooper didn’t mince words. “For six years, the small boat smuggling gangs were allowed to embed their criminal trade along our coast, and have shown a ruthless ability to adapt their tactics and maximise their profits, no matter how many lives they put at risk.
“They must not be allowed to get away with this vile crime.”
The new initiative builds on the groundwork already laid. Since taking the helm, Mr Hewitt has significantly escalated covert operations. The NCA has seized over 600 boats and engines, disrupted more than 350 gangs, and taken down several high-profile ringleaders.
But this new phase also goes international. Part of the funding supports the pilot “one-in, one-out” deal with France, the first scheme of its kind where illegal arrivals to the UK could be sent back across the Channel, in exchange for Britain accepting an equal number of asylum seekers from France. French authorities, in turn, have pledged to intercept smuggler boats at sea, a move not previously undertaken.
Not everyone is impressed. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp launched a scathing attack, dismissing the £100m boost as political window dressing.
“There have been more than 25,000 illegal crossings so far this year, making it the worst year in history. Labour has failed and their laughable claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters,” he said.
“This weak Labour government has lost control of our borders…”
In response, Mr Hewitt stood firm, stressing the investment’s long-term vision.
“This additional £100 million investment in our Border Security Command represents a critical escalation in our fight against the criminal gangs exploiting our immigration system and putting lives at risk through dangerous Channel crossings.”
“We’re extending our reach upstream and across transit countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia… and countering the lies criminals tell vulnerable people about safe passage.”
As the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill progresses through Parliament, ministers hope a combination of boots on the ground, intelligence from abroad, and new tech tools at home will stem the tide.
But with summer’s calmer waters encouraging more crossings and political tensions rising, the next few months will be a litmus test — not just for Labour’s plan, but for Keir Starmer’s ability to convince the country that his government can finally control Britain’s borders.
