In a bold move to address the ongoing migrant crisis, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has proposed that the country take the lead in Europe-wide investigations into people-smuggling gangs. Speaking at the Interpol annual general assembly in Glasgow, Starmer emphasized his “personal mission to smash the people-smuggling gangs” and called for improved cooperation with European partners.
A New Approach to Cross-Border Crime
Starmer’s proposal comes as the UK seeks to forge new security deals with EU countries in the wake of Brexit. The prime minister acknowledged that previous negotiations with European partners on cross-border crime and security could have been handled better, stating:
I don’t think we did as well as we should have done when we came to the question of cross-border crime and security, and that’s why we want to improve on it. And that can be done at the EU level.
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
Under Starmer’s leadership, the UK government aims to position the country at the forefront of operations targeting people-smuggling, particularly in relation to the Channel crossings. The prime minister highlighted the UK’s intelligence capabilities and the value that European partners place on British expertise in this area.
Access to Key Intelligence Databases
As part of the proposed security deal, the UK is seeking access to Eurodac, a database that stores the fingerprints of asylum seekers and migrants who have entered a European country. This access would enable British authorities to more effectively identify and track individuals involved in people-smuggling operations.
Starmer also expressed his intention to push for the UK to regain access to the EU’s real-time intelligence sharing networks, which would further enhance the country’s ability to combat cross-border crime.
Fast-Tracking Asylum Applications
In addition to the proposed security measures, the UK government is examining plans to fast-track asylum applications from individuals arriving from specific ‘high grant rate’ countries. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that this approach would be linked to swifter returns for those whose applications are denied.
We are also looking at ways in which we could develop a fast-track approach for predominantly safe countries, so that that can be linked to much swifter returns as well.
Yvette Cooper, UK Home Secretary
While the specific countries have not been named, high grant rate countries typically include Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Sudan, and Syria. According to analysis by the Refugee Council, nearly 6 out of 10 individuals who crossed the Channel in the year leading up to the general election were from high grant rate countries.
Treating People Smugglers Like Terrorists
Starmer also announced that the government will “treat people smugglers like terrorists,” allocating an additional £75 million to the Border Security Command. This approach would involve using anti-terror powers to gather intelligence from suspected smugglers’ phones and stay ahead of criminal gangs.
With counter-terrorism powers you can get in with the intelligence beforehand, the preparatory acts, in a much more meaningful way and get into some of the information that they are holding, particularly information held on phones etcetera and seizure of phones.
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
The prime minister also announced a £6 million increase in the UK’s support for Interpol as it tackles global organized crime.
The Road Ahead
As the UK moves forward with its plans to lead Europe’s fight against people-smuggling gangs, the success of these initiatives will depend on the country’s ability to forge strong partnerships with its European counterparts. The proposed security deals, intelligence sharing, and fast-tracked asylum processes have the potential to significantly impact the ongoing migrant crisis, but their effectiveness will ultimately be determined by the level of cooperation and coordination achieved between the UK and EU countries.
The coming months will be crucial as Prime Minister Starmer meets with EU leaders, including Giorgia Meloni, to discuss the future of cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime. As the UK navigates its post-Brexit relationship with Europe, the outcome of these discussions will have far-reaching implications for the security and stability of the region.
