TREAT PEOPLE-SMUGGLING GANGS LIKE TERRORISTS

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United Kingdom Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has called for people-smuggling gangs to be treated in the same way as terrorist organisations, urging global cooperation to combat organised migration crime, The Guardian has reported.

At an Organised Immigration Crime Summit in London on Monday, which brought together representatives from over 40 countries, Starmer emphasised the need for nations to collaborate in the fight against criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.

He reflected on his experience as the Director of Public Prosecutions, where he worked across borders to thwart terrorist plots, saving thousands of lives.

Starmer argued that organised immigration crime should be addressed with similar urgency and international coordination.

He stressed the importance of sharing intelligence and resources, targeting people smuggling at every stage of the process.

“When I was the director of public prosecutions, we worked across borders throughout Europe and beyond to foil numerous plots, saving thousands of lives in the process. We prevented planes from being blown up over the Atlantic and brought the perpetrators to justice.

“I believe we should treat organised immigration crime in the same way.

“I simply do not believe organised immigration crime cannot be tackled. We’ve got to combine our resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream at every step of the people smuggling routes,” he said.

The summit saw the announcement of new measures, including £30m to disrupt trafficking routes and combat the flow of illicit funds. An additional £3m will support the Crown Prosecution Service in expanding its international efforts.

Attendees from countries such as the US, France, Iraq, and Vietnam participated in the discussions, alongside representatives from tech companies like Meta and TikTok, who addressed the role of online platforms in promoting smuggling activities.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, on Sunday unveiled plans to hold businesses accountable for employing irregular migrants, even if they are hired as contractors.

This new approach targets industries such as hospitality and beauty, where undocumented workers are often employed without checks on their immigration status.

Cooper also indicated that the government is reviewing the application of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, which migrants frequently use to argue for their right to remain in the UK.

Despite the efforts, small boat crossings across the Channel continue to rise, with over 5,000 people having made the journey this year, surpassing previous records.

Cooper attributed part of the increase to favorable weather conditions but acknowledged that criminal gangs remain a persistent challenge.