UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged a tougher, sustained campaign against people‑smuggling gangs driving small‑boat crossings in the English Channel, following a visit to Dover where he reviewed frontline operations. Burnham said his government would be “relentless” in tackling organised immigration crime while pairing enforcement with safe and legal routes for people seeking entry into the UK.
The Labour government has significantly expanded resources for the National Crime Agency (NCA), which now has a record 791 officers dedicated to organised immigration crime — more than double the number at the start of 2025. Officials say hundreds more personnel have been deployed on both sides of the Channel to disrupt smuggling networks, target financial flows, and seize equipment used in illegal crossings.
Burnham argued that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis, stressing the need to undercut the business model of smuggling gangs by offering controlled, lawful pathways for asylum seekers. Government data shows Channel arrivals this year are substantially lower than last year, though crossings have risen during periods of favourable weather.
The Prime Minister said progress is visible but warned against complacency, noting that gangs continue to adapt their tactics. Strengthened cooperation with French authorities, expanded surveillance, and increased maritime patrols form part of the UK’s broader strategy to reduce dangerous crossings.
The government’s approach blends border security, international coordination, and immigration reform, aiming to stabilise a politically charged issue that has dominated national debate.