The UK’s first Border Security Commander, Martin Hewitt, has pledged to take persistent action against people-smuggling gangs, emphasizing the importance of disrupting their business models. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Hewitt stated that there was no “simple answer” to the issue of people crossing the English Channel in small boats, but underscored the need for international cooperation and a sustained effort to undermine the smuggling operations.
So far in 2024, more than 33,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, surpassing the total for the previous year. In response, the Labour government established the new Border Security Command, bringing together the National Crime Agency (NCA), intelligence services, police, and border force officials to tackle the problem. Hewitt, who took the role in September, highlighted the complexity of stopping people-smuggling gangs but outlined his strategy of “chipping away” at their operations to make them unprofitable.
One significant step in this effort was the arrest of a man in the Netherlands, who was allegedly a major supplier of boats and engines to smugglers. This was part of a joint investigation between the UK NCA and Dutch and Belgian police forces. Hewitt stressed that successful action against smuggling gangs requires a broad international approach, projecting UK efforts into source countries and working closely with local governments and law enforcement agencies.
The government also plans to adopt counter-terrorism techniques to tackle smuggling networks, including tracing suspects’ movements and freezing their bank accounts. However, this approach has faced criticism from the Conservatives, who argue that stronger deterrents are necessary to stop migrant crossings. They also criticized the Labour government’s decision to abandon the previous administration’s plan to send some migrants to Rwanda as a deterrent measure.
Despite these critiques, Hewitt defended the establishment of the Border Security Command, pointing out that it was the first time that all agencies responsible for border security had been united under one command. He argued that this new approach would provide the coordination and leadership needed to effectively combat smuggling gangs.