UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced an additional £75 million investment for the newly created Border Security Command (BSC). This funding aims to enhance the command’s capabilities with advanced surveillance equipment and tackle the growing threat of people smuggling gangs.
During his speech at the Interpol assembly in Glasgow on November 4, Starmer emphasized the need for a unified approach to border security. He stated that the UK government plans to adopt counter-terrorism strategies to combat the disjointed efforts seen among law enforcement, Border Force, and intelligence agencies. Starmer pointed out the urgency of addressing this issue, declaring, “The world needs to wake up to the severity of this challenge.” He expressed his commitment to ensuring safety for the British people and highlighted the grim reality that many lives are at risk during dangerous Channel crossings.
This recent commitment builds on a previous allocation of £75 million made in September 2024, which focused on enhancing technology and capabilities like covert cameras and improved intelligence sharing. Now, the total investment for the BSC will reach £150 million over the next two years. The additional funds will help the National Crime Agency (NCA) expand its technological resources, add 100 specialized investigators and intelligence officers, and establish a new intelligence unit to improve collaboration among police forces.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed the Prime Minister’s intentions, stressing that the new Border Security Command will significantly change how the government targets organized crime. She noted that smuggling networks operate across borders and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing these criminal activities.
However, the government’s enforcement-focused strategy has faced criticism from charities and advocacy groups. Some argue that solely relying on enforcement could push desperate individuals toward more perilous journeys. Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, stated that it’s vital to balance action against smugglers with a commitment to providing safety for vulnerable people seeking asylum.
Fizza Qureshi from the Migrants’ Rights Network also criticized the UK government’s approach, suggesting it deflects from the obligation to protect refugees. She pointed out the limitations of current safe routes for asylum seekers and argued for the need to create more accessible paths instead of increasing surveillance measures.
A recent Parliamentary briefing highlighted the narrow eligibility criteria for existing safe routes, pointing out that not everyone qualifies for refugee status. Amnesty International emphasized that the current immigration rules offer no safe pathways for asylum claims, with very few exceptions.
On the enforcement front, the Home Office reported that 230 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on October 31, bringing the monthly total to 5,417 and the annual total to 30,661. The rising numbers underscore the ongoing crisis, with over 50 deaths recorded this year alone.
In February 2024, the Home Office signed a data-sharing agreement with the EU border agency Frontex aimed at strengthening responses to small boat crossings. This deal promises improved intelligence sharing and collaboration on research into surveillance technologies, including drones.
The UK has ramped up surveillance capabilities across the English Channel, which measures just 21 miles. The arsenal includes unmanned aerial vehicles, AI-powered satellites, and various sensing technologies, all marketed as tools for monitoring migrant crossings. Yet, human rights advocates have raised concerns that these technologies are often used more to deter crossings than to save lives.
A broader trend in Europe reflects a hardline approach to migration, with 17 countries recently calling for tougher measures, including the ability to enforce deportations while claiming to respect fundamental rights.