Home Minister Leads Small Boat Summit After Deaths on Channel

Friday’s summit was also attended by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Attorney General Lord Hermer and representatives from the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Graeme Biggar, head of the NCA, was due to tell attendees that work with Bulgaria in recent weeks has led to the seizure of more than 40 small boats and engines that could have been used to transport 2,400 people across the Channel.

According to the NCA, more than 410 small boats and engines have been seized since last spring.

Mr Biggar was also expected to provide details of 70 other ongoing investigations, including raids on warehouses in Libya where migrants were being held.

The summit will examine the analysis of the operational capabilities of criminal smuggling gangs.

The Home Office had promised a “rapid” recruitment of a Border Security Command chief to tackle the gangs, but no appointment has yet been announced. Downing Street says it will be confirmed “in the coming weeks”.

Ms Cooper said there had been “encouraging progress” in the past two months, with significant seizures of boats and equipment in Europe.

“But there is still much work to be done,” she added, “and Border Security Command will bring together all relevant agencies to investigate, arrest and prosecute these networks. We will also strengthen our links with key international partners.

“At the same time, we are swiftly deporting those who have no right to stay in the UK, ensuring we have a fair, robust and functioning asylum system where the rules are followed and enforced.”