Keir Starmer: I will eliminate people smugglers by targeting their financial interests

Across Europe, shadowy criminal gangs are making millions from smuggling people into Britain.

The vulnerable are taken advantage of by smuggling them on unsafe small boats to cross the Channel illegally, jeopardizing the safety of the British people and undermining our economic stability and global security.

My Labour Government is determined to smash these gangs and stop this vile trade. I’ve done it before.

When I was this country’s chief prosecutor, I smashed some of the world’s most dangerous gangs – including terrorists – and put them behind bars.

Criminal groups operate without regard for borders or the well-being of the individuals they exploit and traffic, showing no concern for the integrity of our nation and its people.

They only care about one thing: Money. They make huge profits out of ruining people’s lives.

A commitment is made to Mail readers to take decisive action against these gangs by introducing a unique sanctions system, a groundbreaking initiative being implemented for the first time globally.

We’re going to treat people smugglers like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats. We’ll freeze their assets, ban their travel and work with allies to put them behind bars.

The Prime Minister writes: ‘My Labour Government is determined to smash these gangs and stop this vile trade. I’ve done it before’

Keir Starmer reveals that new laws will allow human traffickers to be treated ‘like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats’

Describing the measures as a ‘world first’, Sir Keir says: ‘My pledge to Mail readers is this – we’re going to hit them where it hurts.’

The Tories like to talk about deterrents. Let me say this: Targeting the huge profits these gangs make will put them out of business. If there is no money, there is no incentive.

This new regime is a world first to tackle illegal migration and organised immigration crime. It will starve the kingpins of illicit finance fuelling their operations. And it will intercept black-market funds siphoned off to smuggling gang lords to smash their lucrative business model.

It’s another tool in our arsenal to take down the gangs. We’ve already established a Border Security Command. We’ve redeployed resources from the ridiculous Rwanda scheme that wasted billions of hard-earned taxpayer money and deported only four volunteers into ramping up the number of returns.

That cavalier attitude to wasting taxpayer cash boils my blood. Working people deserve better.

That’s why we’ve turned the page on Tory gimmicks. We’ve replaced empty rhetoric with action. And we’ve gotten results.

We’re bringing in new border security laws this year to give law enforcement the tools they need to dismantle the gangs.

We’re giving law enforcement bodies like the National Crime Agency new specialist kit, such as maritime drones, and using automatic number plate recognition cameras to track vehicles carrying smuggling equipment.

We’ve struck a world-first security agreement with Iraq to target people-smuggling gangs and return those working here illegally. This Government is on track to deliver the highest number of returns for five years. That includes the four biggest return flights ever.

The first migrants of 2025, picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel from France on January 4 

Border Force vessel “BF Ranger” (C) returns to the Dover Marina bringing the first migrants of 2025, picked up at sea attempting to cross the English Channel from France on January 4

People smugglers advertise their services on Tik Tok

And our work with agencies cross-border is bearing fruit. We are arresting serious and dangerous criminals.

In November, cross-border work led to the arrest of one of the UK’s most wanted people smugglers in Amsterdam, who supplied many of the boats being used to reach our shores, putting Britain’s border security at risk.

I know how central cross-border working is to smashing these vile gangs.

I’ve seen it up close as the country’s chief prosecutor, working with law enforcement, and international partners to foil terrorist plots and make huge drug busts.

That’s real action, not the gimmicks and empty rhetoric peddled by the Tories.

So let me be clear: We’re stopping people coming to this country illegally, and we’re deporting people with no right to be here.

My message to those criminals who still think they can breach our borders is this: There is nowhere to hide. We’re coming after you.

As director of public prosecutions, I locked up dangerous criminals to keep our country safe. As Prime Minister, I’m getting on with the job of delivering the change people voted for last year.

Cutting immigration. Boosting living standards. Making our streets safer. Producing clean British energy. Saving the NHS. Making sure every child has the opportunities they deserve. That’s my mission. Day and night.

This is our Plan for Change. This Government is smashing the gangs and securing our borders.