Gangs of criminals helping people cross the English Channel are becoming more adaptable, claims the Home Secretary
More people have crossed the English Channel. (Image: Getty)
People trafficking gangs are adapting their tactics as demand for dangerous crossings remains high, the Home Secretary has warned. Shabana Mahmood told MPs that criminals are increasingly seeking new launch sites for dinghies in response to mounting pressure from law enforcement. And one gang has even attempted to avoid a crackdown on the French coast by setting off from Belgium.
The government has come under fire over the cost of the “one in, one out” deal with France, after Ms Mahmood revealed it was costing around £56,000 per migrant. Crossings have continued this year, with so-called “mega dinghies” being spotted in the Channel as gangs cram more people onto ever larger vessels. But Ms Mahmood praised the government’s work to end the illegal crossings, saying there has been a significant drop in numbers.
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The senior minister warned that it was a “highly adaptive environment” and that “things change very quickly.”
She added that “gangs are moving westerly,” warning people traffickers were “highly adaptable” and “entrepreneurial.”
Britain has recently signed a new funding deal with France to strangulate the gangs seeking to profit off the potentially deadly crossings.
Telling the committee that her department would “continue to go further” to stamp out the gangs, Ms Mahmood added that the country must adapt “just as quickly” as the crooks.
But MPs questioned if the deal was good value for money after the Home Secretary admitted that London was sending more cash to Paris.
There has been extensive reporting of allegations the French police have stood aside and failed to act as illegal migrants are escorted onto boats.
Ms Mahmood defended the deal, saying that it enabled the UK to “direct our funding toward the enforcement response”, which she said lets the country call for more cops on the beaches.
Yet Tory MP Robbie Moore took aim at the bargain, which is intended to see an equal exchange of migrants who unlawfully enter each country.
Mr Moore said, “From the period of Aug 2025 to June 2026, 28,000 migrants arrived on small boat channels, but yet only 1,087 went from this country to France. We actually let more in under the one-in-one-out deal – 1,117.”
“It doesn’t look to me that this is acting as a deterrent.”
Responding to Mr Moore, the Home Secretary said that “the numbers have tracked fairly evenly; the numbers in and out are about the same.”
Later in the session, Ms Mahmood batted away the accusation that the scheme was too expensive, saying the cost worked out at around £56,000 a year per migrant, which was “about the same as supporting someone in a hotel for a year”, which she claimed was “value for money”.
Gangs of criminals helping people cross the English Channel are becoming more adaptable, claims the Home Secretary
More people have crossed the English Channel. (Image: Getty)
People trafficking gangs are adapting their tactics as demand for dangerous crossings remains high, the Home Secretary has warned. Shabana Mahmood told MPs that criminals are increasingly seeking new launch sites for dinghies in response to mounting pressure from law enforcement. And one gang has even attempted to avoid a crackdown on the French coast by setting off from Belgium.
The government has come under fire over the cost of the “one in, one out” deal with France, after Ms Mahmood revealed it was costing around £56,000 per migrant. Crossings have continued this year, with so-called “mega dinghies” being spotted in the Channel as gangs cram more people onto ever larger vessels. But Ms Mahmood praised the government’s work to end the illegal crossings, saying there has been a significant drop in numbers.
Get the latest politics news – straight from our team in Westminster and more
Invalid email
You agree you are 18 or over. 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 third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.
The senior minister warned that it was a “highly adaptive environment” and that “things change very quickly.”
She added that “gangs are moving westerly,” warning people traffickers were “highly adaptable” and “entrepreneurial.”
Britain has recently signed a new funding deal with France to strangulate the gangs seeking to profit off the potentially deadly crossings.
Telling the committee that her department would “continue to go further” to stamp out the gangs, Ms Mahmood added that the country must adapt “just as quickly” as the crooks.
But MPs questioned if the deal was good value for money after the Home Secretary admitted that London was sending more cash to Paris.
There has been extensive reporting of allegations the French police have stood aside and failed to act as illegal migrants are escorted onto boats.
Ms Mahmood defended the deal, saying that it enabled the UK to “direct our funding toward the enforcement response”, which she said lets the country call for more cops on the beaches.
Yet Tory MP Robbie Moore took aim at the bargain, which is intended to see an equal exchange of migrants who unlawfully enter each country.
Mr Moore said, “From the period of Aug 2025 to June 2026, 28,000 migrants arrived on small boat channels, but yet only 1,087 went from this country to France. We actually let more in under the one-in-one-out deal – 1,117.”
“It doesn’t look to me that this is acting as a deterrent.”
Responding to Mr Moore, the Home Secretary said that “the numbers have tracked fairly evenly; the numbers in and out are about the same.”
Later in the session, Ms Mahmood batted away the accusation that the scheme was too expensive, saying the cost worked out at around £56,000 a year per migrant, which was “about the same as supporting someone in a hotel for a year”, which she claimed was “value for money”.