The UK’s new Border Security Command, which will focus on reducing the number of small boat crossings, will be led by former police chief Martin Hewitt. As the National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman, Hewitt previously coordinated efforts by UK police forces on issues like terrorism and organised crime. Together with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Hewitt will visit Rome to learn from Italy’s approach to tackling illegal migration, which has recently seen a significant decrease in the number of migrants making the dangerous crossing from North Africa.
Reducing the number of small boat crossings from France is a significant challenge for the new Labour government, especially after eight people died attempting the crossing over the weekend. The Border Security Command aims to tackle the smuggling gangs behind these crossings by bringing together intelligence agencies, police, and border force officials. Hewitt’s experience coordinating police activities, responding to major security threats, and managing the UK’s response to Covid-19 was key to his appointment.
Sir Keir Starmer called for action to tackle smuggling gangs that trade lives across borders, and Martin Hewitt’s appointment will lead a new era of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, protect shores, and bring order to the asylum system. Hewitt himself stated that he is determined to face the challenges ahead and will not underestimate them. Criminal gangs that smuggle people across Europe have abused borders in the name of profit and are responsible for the deaths of many vulnerable and innocent people.
During their visit to Rome, Sir Keir and Hewitt will tour Italy’s National Coordination Centre for Migration to review Italy’s response to illegal migration and discuss future cooperation. Labour scrapped the previous Conservative government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda from the UK. Now, Sir Keir is interested in learning from Italy’s migration deal with Albania to send migrants rescued at sea to the Balkan country while their asylum claims are processed. Reception centres in Albania are set to open later this year.
The EU’s border force, Frontex, has reported a 64% reduction in crossings to Italy this year, thanks to financial deals with Tunisia and Libya, where most people depart from for Europe. The EU has given Tunisia funding to boost border security, while Italy has supplied patrol vessels and given the government money to support small companies and invest in education and renewable energy. Sir Keir’s visit comes as he seeks to reset relations with Europe after Brexit and follows meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron
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