British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged international law enforcement to treat migrant-smuggling operations across the English Channel as a global security threat akin to terrorism. Addressing an Interpol conference in Glasgow, Starmer highlighted the pressing need for increased international collaboration. He advocated applying counterterrorism strategies to tackle these smuggling networks, emphasizing closer coordination with foreign law-enforcement bodies and potentially expanding police powers.
Starmer also announced the doubling of the UK Border Security Command's budget from about $97 million to about $194 million over two years. These funds are earmarked for advanced surveillance technology and staffing increases, with plans to hire 100 specialist investigators. The prime minister further revealed ambitions to establish a new security pact with the European Union to rejuvenate real-time intelligence sharing, disturbed by Brexit, which had impeded the UK's participation in Europol.
This commitment to curbing illegal crossings comes as the UK grapples with the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Over 31,000 migrants have attempted the perilous Channel crossing in 2024, marking it as one of the deadliest years since 2018. The Conservative Party criticized Starmer's decision to terminate a Rwanda deportation plan, a plan he labeled a "gimmick." Meanwhile, Starmer maintains his administration's stance that turning a blind eye to human suffering is unacceptable, arguing that addressing the root causes of migration is crucial. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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