UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has urged for people-smuggling gangs to be treated in the same way as terrorist organisations, advocating for global collaboration to tackle organised migration crime, as reported by *The Guardian*.
At the Organised Immigration Crime Summit in London on Monday, attended by representatives from over 40 countries, Starmer stressed the importance of international cooperation to combat criminal gangs involved in people smuggling. Reflecting on his tenure as the Director of Public Prosecutions, he highlighted the successful cross-border efforts to prevent terrorist attacks, saving thousands of lives.
He emphasized that the fight against organised immigration crime should receive the same level of urgency and international coordination. Starmer called for a united approach, with shared intelligence, resources, and efforts targeting the entire people-smuggling process.
“When I was the director of public prosecutions, we worked across borders throughout Europe and beyond to foil numerous terrorist plots, saving thousands of lives. We prevented planes from being blown up over the Atlantic and brought the perpetrators to justice. I believe we should treat organised immigration crime with the same approach,” Starmer stated.
The summit also saw the announcement of new initiatives, including £30m to disrupt trafficking routes and tackle illicit funds, along with an additional £3m to support the Crown Prosecution Service’s international efforts. Attendees included representatives from the US, France, Iraq, and Vietnam, as well as tech companies like Meta and TikTok, discussing their role in online smuggling activities.
In a related development, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper unveiled plans to hold businesses accountable for employing irregular migrants, including those hired as contractors. This new strategy targets sectors such as hospitality and beauty, where undocumented workers are commonly hired without proper immigration checks.
Cooper also indicated that the government is reviewing the application of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which migrants often cite in their efforts to remain in the UK.
Despite these efforts, small boat crossings across the Channel continue to rise, with over 5,000 people having made the journey this year, surpassing previous records. Cooper attributed part of the increase to favorable weather but acknowledged that criminal gangs remain a significant challenge.
