Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has unveiled a comprehensive package of new measures aimed at strengthening the UK’s border security amid rising illegal Channel crossings.
The announcement comes as the latest figures reveal more than 35,000 migrants have made the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats this year alone.
Cooper’s new enforcement strategy includes enhanced technological capabilities and increased cooperation with European partners to combat people smuggling gangs.
The Home Secretary’s intervention follows a surge in arrivals, with over 1,150 migrants reaching UK waters in just the past three days after a brief weather-related lull in crossings.
Yvette Cooper has unveiled a new set of measures to help secure the UK’s border
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The latest figures show 35,130 migrants have crossed the Channel since January, GB News has revealed.
Speaking in a new statement, Cooper emphasised the urgent need for action on border security.
“We need to restore order and control both to our border security and also to the asylum system,” the Home Secretary declared.
She highlighted ongoing international cooperation efforts, stating: “That’s why I’m in Italy talking to the interior minister about stronger cooperation against the criminal smuggler gangs.”
The Home Secretary outlined a multi-pronged approach to tackle the crisis.
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“We’re also announcing the much stronger enforcement that we’ve been taking in the UK,” Cooper said.
A Home Office spokesman added: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine border security.”
“The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long they pay,” the spokesman continued.
Cooper was also questioned on Prince Andrew’s connections to an alleged Chinese spy, H6, which she declared the Labour Government “will not hesitate to take action” on.
Yvette Cooper declared that the Government ‘want to end all dangerous small boat crossings’
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Cooper said of the allegations: “Our security and intelligence agencies are continually vigilant for any threat to UK national security, whether that be around foreign influence, whether it be around espionage, whether it be around any security threat.
“We won’t hesitate to take action in individual cases or more widely, wherever any challenge arises.”
She added: “We don’t comment on individual cases, and we’re also clear that wherever our intelligence and security agencies identify challenges or threats in individual cases, we will always be ready to take action.
“We always respect the decisions of the courts and also don’t comment on individual cases.”
