Keir Starmer with Giorgia Meloni (Image: Getty)
People smugglers will continue exploiting an "unending supply of migrants" arriving in Europe despite Sir Keir Starmer’s vow to smash the gangs, a former Border Force chief has warned.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
SUV Deals | Search Ads
2024 Senior SUV Is A True Head Turner (You'll Love The Price)SUV Deals | Search Ads
Undo
Sir Keir Starmer and Italian leader Giorgia Meloni want Europol to prioritise the hunt for the criminal gangs trafficking hundreds of thousands of people across the continent every year.
But Tony Smith, former Border Force Director General, said migrants are still determined “to get themselves into UK territorial waters” as they know they will be taken into Dover.
Mr Smith told GB News: “That narrative still exists. So, the pull factor is still very much there.
Sponsored
Juliettdate
Juliettdate Read More
Senior Singles Connection
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Keir Starmer held talks with Ms Meloni at the European Political Community summit (Image: Getty)
“It is a very, very big ask to ask the UK to be able to smash the gangs without some form of international collaboration, where powers can be used by other countries on their jurisdiction to bring people to justice and prevent people and goods crossing borders.
“This is a hugely lucrative business. There is an unending supply of migrants pervading the EU border, many of whom are in various member states, very keen to get across to the UK, who are prepared to mortgage their lives to get a place on a very dangerous vessel to get themselves into UK territorial waters.”
Sir Keir, on his first day in Downing Street, scrapped the Rwanda deportation scheme.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly said the Labour leader “ditched” the plan even though the National Crime Agency believed it was a “deterrent”.
The EU’s police force currently also tackles other forms of crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
An Italian government source told The Telegraph the conversation “dealt with ways to further increase Europol’s effectiveness in combating human trafficking” including “strengthening cooperation with third countries” such as the UK.
Britain is no longer a member of Europol.
But Sir Keir’s Government wants to prioritise forging a closer relationship with Brussels to go after the gangs.
As part of the Home Office’s new plan, the number of British National Crime Agency officers seconded to Europol will be increased by 50%.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Keir Starmer urged to hold daily Cobra meetings over riot chaos as Priti Patel lashes out
248 Comments
Afghan migrant left 'traumatised' by Rotherham riots and says he misses home
920 Comments
Ruthless smugglers mob French beaches with migrants in 'deadly' new tactic
866 Comments
UK riots: Keir Starmer refuses to outright condemn Birmingham Palestine mob attacks
Comments
Rioting thugs 'must not be allowed to win' amid fears of 'many' violent demonstrations
1472 Comments
Labour ‘actively exploring' rejoining ￡9bn EU scheme, Secretary of State reveals
1534 Comments
Keir Starmer launches war of words with Elon Musk after tech boss's claim of UK civil war
515 Comments
Bolton riot was a disgrace - and these racist thugs have now ended the real debate
34 Comments
Lee Anderson piles pressure on Jess Phillips to quit now over 'mob rule' on UK streets
350 Comments
Police issue update as they 'prepare' for more UK riots and chaos this weekend
443 Comments
UK riots are only just the beginning of chaos - what must be done to fix our country
160 Comments
UK riots: Keir Starmer sends four-word message to police as far-right danger looms
828 Comments
Brexiteer fury as EU issues demands to Keir Starmer in return for new closer relationship
1564 Comments
Outrage as Keir Starmer set to fly off on holiday amid riots - but still no COBRA meeting
1598 Comments
Keir Starmer accused of 'pouring petrol' on Channel migrant crisis as James Cleverly rages
1978 Comments
Brexit betrayal as Keir Starmer tipped to ‘reduce UK to status of an EU district'
770 Comments
Channel migrant crisis is turning into 'a guerrilla war' as shock new milestone approaches
41 Comments
Keir Starmer's huge small boat migration failure laid bare with one damning stat
1738 Comments
Gundry MD
"I Was Ashamed Of My Sun Spots Until I Found This DIY Solution"Gundry MD Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
MPs urged to return to Parliament to condemn riots
90 Comments
Ann Widdecombe hands Keir Starmer new three-point plan to handle 'terrifying' UK riots
235 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to hold daily Cobra meetings over riot chaos as Priti Patel lashes out
248 Comments
Afghan migrant left 'traumatised' by Rotherham riots and says he misses home
920 Comments
Ruthless smugglers mob French beaches with migrants in 'deadly' new tactic
866 Comments
UK riots: Keir Starmer refuses to outright condemn Birmingham Palestine mob attacks
Comments
Rioting thugs 'must not be allowed to win' amid fears of 'many' violent demonstrations
1472 Comments
Labour ‘actively exploring' rejoining ￡9bn EU scheme, Secretary of State reveals
1534 Comments
Keir Starmer launches war of words with Elon Musk after tech boss's claim of UK civil war
515 Comments
Bolton riot was a disgrace - and these racist thugs have now ended the real debate
34 Comments
Lee Anderson piles pressure on Jess Phillips to quit now over 'mob rule' on UK streets
350 Comments
Police issue update as they 'prepare' for more UK riots and chaos this weekend
443 Comments
UK riots are only just the beginning of chaos - what must be done to fix our country
160 Comments
UK riots: Keir Starmer sends four-word message to police as far-right danger looms
828 Comments
Brexiteer fury as EU issues demands to Keir Starmer in return for new closer relationship
1564 Comments
Outrage as Keir Starmer set to fly off on holiday amid riots - but still no COBRA meeting
1598 Comments
Keir Starmer accused of 'pouring petrol' on Channel migrant crisis as James Cleverly rages
1978 Comments
Brexit betrayal as Keir Starmer tipped to ‘reduce UK to status of an EU district'
770 Comments
Channel migrant crisis is turning into 'a guerrilla war' as shock new milestone approaches
41 Comments
Keir Starmer's huge small boat migration failure laid bare with one damning stat
1738 Comments
MPs urged to return to Parliament to condemn riots
90 Comments
Ann Widdecombe hands Keir Starmer new three-point plan to handle 'terrifying' UK riots
235 Comments
Keir Starmer urged to hold daily Cobra meetings over riot chaos as Priti Patel lashes out
248 Comments
Afghan migrant left 'traumatised' by Rotherham riots and says he misses home
920 Comments
Ruthless smugglers mob French beaches with migrants in 'deadly' new tactic
866 Comments
UK riots: Keir Starmer refuses to outright condemn Birmingham Palestine mob attacks
Comments
Rioting thugs 'must not be allowed to win' amid fears of 'many' violent demonstrations
1472 Comments
Labour ‘actively exploring' rejoining ￡9bn EU scheme, Secretary of State reveals
1534 Comments
Keir Starmer launches war of words with Elon Musk after tech boss's claim of UK civil war
515 Comments
Gundry MD
Constipation Is A Warning: Sign See This Simple Hack!Gundry MD
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also held talks with Catherine De Bolle, the executive director of Europol, shortly after entering the Home Office, in a sign of the importance being placed on working with Europol.
Sir Keir is seeking to “reset” the UK’s wider relationship with the EU, and any agreement on a new mandate for Europol is likely to need the support of a majority of EU member states.