I have welcomed the biggest ever international operation to crack down on human traffickers and illegal smuggling operations. Raids, led by the National Crime Agency, across the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands have seen over 40 arrests of suspected members of these criminal networks.
Recently the National Crime Agency made 15 arrests over the deaths of the 27 people who lost their lives in the Channel last year.
I have been calling on much-needed international action to bring the illegal trade of people smuggling to an end.
Crossing the English Channel in a small boat across the world’s busiest shipping lane and in the hands of criminal gangs is incredibly dangerous and it’s vital these journeys are brought to an end.
The operation and raids on suspected people smugglers shows a determination to tackle this crime at source. Arrests have been made relating to the tragedy of 27 people losing their lives crossing the Channel last year, which has affected our community so deeply.
I welcome the robust operation that was carried out to ensure action is taken to these criminal gangs. I hope to see further operations like this on both sides of the English Channel so that, with other measures, there can be an end to the small boats crisis once and for all.