Extra NCA officers to strengthen border security under new measures announced by Home Secretary
The Home Secretary has announced “the immediate recruitment” of up to 100 new specialist intelligence and investigation officers at the National Crime Agency (NCA) under new measures to strengthen border security.
Yvette Cooper says this will help to dismantle and disrupt organised immigration crime networks.
This comes on top of the 50 per cent uplift in the number of NCA officers stationed in Europol. These officers have been immediately deployed to support European operations to disrupt the activity of criminal smuggling gangs making millions of pounds out of small boat crossings.
The NCA currently has around 70 investigations targeting the highest harm criminal networks involved in people smuggling and trafficking, and worked with international partners to support the seizure of around 400 boats and engines intended for use in channel crossings.
The Home Secretary has also outlined a “major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity”, to make sure that immigration and asylum rules are respected and enforced – saying that the Government has new plans for the next six months to achieve the highest rate of removals of those with no right to be here, including failed asylum seekers, for five years..
In addition, a new intelligence-driven illegal working programme will be rolled out to “target, investigate and take down unscrupulous employers” who illegally employ those with no right to work in the UK.
NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones said: “Tackling organised immigration crime remains a key priority for the NCA and we are dedicating more effort and resource than ever before.
“These extra officers will play a key role in that, with the NCA currently leading around 70 investigations into the highest harm people smuggling and trafficking groups.
“Taking on these dangerous and exploitative gangs requires international cooperation and we continue to further enhance our already strong relationship with Europol and other law enforcement partners.
“We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks, whether they are operating in the UK or overseas.”
Alongside this, the Government is increasing detention spaces to support the higher pace of removals, including reopening and adding 290 beds across Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) at Campsfield and Haslar. It says this increase will ensure there is additional capacity to facilitate higher levels of enforcement and returns so that rules are properly respected.
Staff will also be redeployed to drive this increase in returns. Three hundred caseworkers have already been reassigned to progress thousands of failed asylum and returns cases, including enforced and voluntary returns.
The Home Office says “enhanced digital capabilities” will be rolled out to ensure consistent contact throughout, preventing those with no right to be in the UK from “disappearing into exploitative illegal working and ensure they can be returned”.
Ms Cooper said: “We are taking strong and clear steps boost our border security and ensure the rules are respected and enforced.
“Our new Border Security Command is already gearing up, with new staff being urgently recruited and additional staff already stationed across Europe, working with European enforcement agencies to find every route in to smashing the criminal smuggling gangs organising dangerous boat crossings which undermine our border security and putting lives at risk.”