The UK has launched a new Border Security Command (BSC), marking a turning point in how the country tackles illegal immigration and organised people smuggling.

Backed by the newly elected Labour government, the BSC aims to take direct action against the criminal networks profiting from small boat crossings while working with European partners to find more effective, long-term solutions.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the move in early July, describing it as a major overhaul of the UK’s border management strategy. “Criminal smuggling gangs are making millions out of small boat crossings, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk,” she said. The new command, she added, would allow authorities to target those at the heart of the smuggling operations and ensure they are brought to justice.

This policy shift comes amid a sharp rise in Channel crossings. As of 6 July, over 21,000 people had crossed the Channel in small boats since the start of the year – a dramatic 56 percent increase on the same period in 2024. Last year alone, nearly 37,000 crossings were detected, up by a quarter compared to 2023.

Deepening cross-Channel cooperation

Central to the new strategy is international cooperation. In March, the UK’s Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt and France’s Special Representative on Immigration, Patrick Stefanini, signed a confidential roadmap for joint action. While the details remain unpublished, the agreement reportedly focuses on disrupting criminal gangs, discouraging dangerous crossings, ensuring faster returns to countries of origin and transit, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

This collaborative approach signals a return to diplomacy and partnership after years of politically charged and legally contested immigration measures. Yvette Cooper is also expected to hold further talks with her European counterparts and with Europol to strengthen cross-border coordination and intelligence sharing.

A shift away from Rwanda

The launch of the BSC coincides with the official end of the controversial Rwanda deportation plan. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed its cancellation during his first press conference, stating that the scheme was “dead and buried before it started.” The plan, introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, sought to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for offshore processing, but it faced fierce criticism from human rights groups and was ruled unlawful by the UK High Court.

In its place, Labour is promising a more pragmatic and enforceable strategy, with the Border Security Command at its core. The focus is now on targeting the criminal infrastructure behind people smuggling, increasing law enforcement capacity, and improving the speed and fairness of the asylum process.

Tougher laws and targeted enforcement

The government’s proposals also include new legal measures designed to strengthen the hand of law enforcement. A specific offence for endangering lives at sea is being introduced, carrying a prison sentence of up to five years. Those involved in planning smuggling operations – even through the purchase of equipment or boat parts – could face up to 14 years in prison. Additional restrictions such as travel bans, limits on mobile phone usage, and social media blackouts may also be used to disrupt coordination among smuggling gangs.

The Home Office is now recruiting a senior leader with experience in policing, intelligence or military command to head the BSC. Reporting directly to the Home Secretary, this individual will oversee a newly formed team of investigators, analysts, and operational experts.

Rebuilding trust in the immigration system

The UK government insists that a more effective system must be built on enforcement, cooperation, and compassion. The creation of the Border Security Command represents a key step in rebalancing the UK’s immigration strategy—protecting borders without compromising human rights, and restoring the country’s image as fair, just, and internationally engaged.

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