Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 August 2026.

French police units prevented 185 small boat crossing events in the first 3 months of a new UK-France deal.

French units funded by the UK as part of the landmark new UK-France deal have hit the ground running in their first 3 months. 

According to information from the French authorities, officers prevented 185 small boat events between 27 April and 2 August. 

This included action to stop launches, seize equipment including boats, engines and lifejackets, and arrest smugglers. 

This means 61% of all small boat events were stopped across this time, an increase in the event prevention rate of nearly 5% compared to the same time period in 2025. 

French reporting also indicates that in the 3 months since signing the deal, there have been 4 weeks that saw the French intercept every potential crossing event, a prevention rate of 100%. 

Action taken also directly prevented over 4,300 crossing attempts, stopping migrants from reaching UK shores – with potentially hundreds more crossing attempts stopped before they could even reach French beaches. 

French officers deployed a range of tactics and interventions across May, June and July to crack down on the evil smuggling gangs and disrupt migrant crossings. 

This included making direct interceptions on beaches, stopping boats setting off from the shore and preventing migrants from boarding taxi boats. 

In May, French units prevented a potential small boat launch from south of Calais. They identified 3 groups of people totalling nearly 100 migrants, alongside a boat hidden in vegetation, 4 cans of petrol and an engine, and neutralised the crossing.

In the same month, French police dispersed a large group of migrants and apprehended a suspected people smuggler 3 kilometres away from the French coast. 

During another event in July, officers spotted a large group of migrants heading towards Dunkirk. Deploying surveillance technology, officers monitored the group and then swooped in to neutralise the boat being carried, stopping another crossing in its tracks. 

Officers also took action to seize boats and engines from vehicles travelling towards the coast alongside concealed equipment hiding along the shoreline. 

In May, specialist French security officers intercepted a vehicle and discovered a boat with an engine, 3 fuel jerry cans and a fuel tank inside. A suspected people smuggler was arrested, and a crossing attempt was prevented.

In June, officers arrested 2 suspected traffickers for transporting nautical equipment in a vehicle. Inside, they found a boat and 3 jerry cans of fuel.

In July, the Gendarmerie drone detected a group of migrants transporting a boat engine. A sweep of the area was conducted, and a boat was detected and seized. 

Officers are also intercepting boats at sea, using new maritime tactics directly targeting migrant taxi boats. 

Since the first deployment of these new tactics on 3 March, French units have intercepted 12 taxi boats on the water, with 3 taking place in just the last 2 weeks. This prevented them moving further up the coast, loading more and more migrants onto an unsafe vessel. 

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 

Our new UK-France deal is already having a real impact, stopping crossings before they happen and disrupting the criminal gangs behind them.  

People smugglers should be in no doubt, we’re taking down their operations, seizing their equipment and breaking their business model for good.  

Through our joint work with France, we have stopped over 47,000 small boat crossing attempts since the election and we will not let up.”  

Director of Maritime and Small Boats at Border Security Command, Charlie Eastaugh, said: 

Our partnership with France is stronger than ever. Together, we are piling the pressure on the criminal gangs and preventing these illegal and dangerous crossings. 

French officers are not shy in taking bold action to prevent these launches where it is safe and lawful to do so. They work in difficult and dangerous conditions to stop boats launching, seize equipment and disperse large migrant groups as well as saving thousands of lives at sea.

Our joint efforts are delivering results, and we will go further still to restore control of our borders and put these smugglers out of business.” 

But the focus of French officers goes beyond just preventing launches. 

Under a trial launched on 1 May under the new UK-France deal to remove migrants from French beaches, statistics provided by French authorities show that 119 migrants have been detained in total. 

Of this number, 76 remain in detention, 32 have been released and 40 illegal migrants have been deported from France – either back to their home countries or other EU countries they have passed through – over 33% of the total number of illegal migrants detained so far. 

The trial has been launched while the construction of a permanent Immigration Removal Centre in Dunkirk is ongoing. 

Since the signing of the new deal with France, 2 additional police units are now active on French beaches. This includes a new 50 person riot police unit with specialist skills to contain and disperse groups of illegal migrants on French beaches.

In addition, the French are rolling out millions of pounds worth of drone surveillance, 2 new helicopters and a new camera surveillance system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants.  

This month, the Home Secretary announced that a record number of National Crime Agency officers have been deployed to crack down on people smugglers, with the number of dedicated officers doubling since the start of 2025, from 276 to almost 800. These officers are working hand in glove with international partners and have seized over 1,100 small boats or engines since the election. 

The Home Secretary is implementing the most sweeping reforms to our immigration system in modern times, removing the incentives that draw migrants to British soil and scaling up the removal of those with no right to be here. This builds on the over 80,000 returned since taking office.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 August 2026.

The new National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism will be observed annually on on 21 August.

The nation will come together today to mark the first ever National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism.

The day will focus on remembering and recognising those impacted by terrorism, supporting victims and survivors to get access to the help they need to rebuild their lives, and amplifying their stories. 

A ceremony, held in Central London later today to mark the day, will bring together hundreds of victims, survivors, bereaved families, emergency responders and government representatives.

A 2-minute silence will be observed at the ceremony to remember those lost to and affected by terrorism. The National Day provides an opportunity for people across the country to reflect and commemorate those whose lives have been changed forever by terrorism.

The new National Day, to be observed annually on 21 August, follows years of campaigning from victims and survivors for better recognition and to raise awareness of the impacts of terrorism. 

Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said:

I am proud that we now have a national day to honour victims and survivors of terrorism.

There is something remarkable about how we come together as a country in those darkest moments. As time passes, most people go back to their lives, but for those who lived through the trauma, there is no return to normality.

Today matters because it says you are not alone. You have not been forgotten. This is a moment to remember the loved ones lost and anyone who has survived the very worst of humanity.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

I am proud to stand with victims and survivors of terrorism as we mark our first ever National Day.

I know how much this day will mean to people across the country. I encourage everyone to join us by taking some time to reflect on the experiences of victims, survivors and all those whose lives have been changed forever by terrorism.

We will never allow terrorism to divide us.

Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said:

Whenever I speak to survivors and victims of terrorism, I am reminded why our work is so important. It is their experiences, their trauma, that drives all of us at Counter Terrorism Policing in our mission to keep people safe.

It is absolutely right that we now have a formal moment of reflection in the national calendar, but we must never forget that many survivors live with the impact of terrorism every day. They are remarkable people, who deserve to be recognised for their resilience and bravery shown in the face of unimaginable horror.

Travis Frain OBE, survivor of the Westminster Bridge attack, said:

I’m pleased to see this National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism come to fruition, after many hard years of campaigning. This should be a date when we come together as a country to remember those affected by terrorism and set our sights to the future, to understand how we can all play our part in preventing further radicalisation and defeating the spread of violent extremism. It is my hope that this event will be one that we can build on in the years to come, demonstrating clearly that the UK stands firm in the face of terrorism.

M. Victoria Cummock, widow of John B. Cummock, killed in the bombing of Pan Am 103 in the skies over Lockerbie, said:

We are profoundly grateful to the government for establishing this National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, recognising the experiences of those affected by terror attacks both recent and historic.

Each year, it will enable people across the country to gather in solidarity and fraternity to give voice to the hundreds killed, remember their loved ones, and recognise the survivors and responders whose lives were forever changed.

We take comfort knowing the Support Hub will provide community-wide trauma-informed care, empowering us on our road to healing and recovery. Together we can turn trauma into positive purpose and leave a legacy that teaches the world a lesson in humanity.

This year’s commemorations come following 2 terrorist attacks in the past 12 months at Heaton Park Synagogue and Golders Green, and ahead of the 10th anniversaries of 5 terrorist attacks in 2017.

The National Day builds on the government’s commitment to supporting those affected by terrorism, following the launch of its new Support Hub for victims and survivors of terrorism on 1 June. The Support Hub provides specialist, trauma-informed support for anyone affected by a terrorist incident, ensuring victims can access the help they need at any stage of their recovery.

It has already begun to provide support to victims, survivors and those affected by terrorism, including people who have never previously received support.

The new Support Hub operates 24/7, assigning each victim and survivor a single point of contact for tailored, trauma-informed support. Victims and survivors can access the Support Hub via the website or by phone, ensuring support is available quickly and simply when it is needed.

The government is committed to continuing to support victims and survivors of terrorism and to developing the National Day in the years ahead.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 August 2026.

New AI call-routing system for 101 will get callers to the right service faster, while freeing up police to tackle crime and help victims.

New AI software will slash waiting times for reporting crimes to the police, helping to unclog the 101 service amid huge levels of misdirected, nuisance and prank calls. 

The police’s non-emergency line receives 20 million calls each year. Around 20% – four million – of these are for non-policing organisations such as local councils, NHS 111 or the 105 power outage helpline.  

However, the line also receives ridiculous reports on issues from delayed pizza delivery to slow pub service and requests for a lift, wasting vital time that police should be spending tackling crime.  

Backed by a £1.4 million government investment, the new system will get the public to the right organisation faster, while freeing up call handlers to respond to crime reports, safeguarding concerns and victims more quickly. 

It is estimated that the new system will save policing up to £8.5 million each year, releasing funds for local forces to invest in their most pressing priorities. 

Crime and Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, said:  

Police call handlers are wasting hours fielding calls meant for other organisations. Every minute spent on these calls is time taken away from helping people who genuinely need their support.  

AI is already helping police catch dangerous criminals and speed up investigations. Now, it will help bring control rooms into the 21st century, freeing up time and unlocking millions of pounds. Forces can reinvest those savings into tackling the crime on our streets.

The system has been developed by the Home Office and National Police Chiefs’ Council, with delivery partner Vodafone Business. It uses an AI model to match why someone is calling 101 to a set of likely reasons, then redirects non-police issues to the correct agency before the caller enters a queue.  

At present, these calls are only identified after someone has spoken to a handler, wasting the caller’s time and increasing wait times for people who need police assistance.  

The new system has been subject to rigorous training and testing by the Home Office and police to ensure its performance is not affected by factors such as callers’ accents and phrasing. During pilots in 15 police forces it successfully diverted non-police issues including damage-only road traffic incidents, fly tipping and noise complaints to the right agencies. 

There are strong safeguards in place to ensure that no one in need of police assistance is ever accidently diverted. Callers are told how the system has understood their reason for calling and must accept or reject this.  

Where the reason for calling falls into a broad category, additional safeguarding questions are asked. If the system is in any doubt, the call is passed directly to the police without delay. Callers will always be able to speak to a handler if they wish.

The use of the system may vary by force, depending on what telephone menu services they already have in place. The current 999 system has not changed.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Contact Operations, A/Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, said: 

This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in public contact by using AI to triage and redirect non-police calls. It’ll help forces manage demand more effectively, freeing up call handlers to focus on those who genuinely need police support. 

By reducing unnecessary call handling, this system marks a major step forward in modernising how the public interacts with policing – making services more efficient, responsive, and easier to navigate. 

We’re extremely grateful to our partners at the Home Office and Vodafone, whose work and vision have been essential in designing and delivering this capability.

Nick Gliddon, Business Director, VodafoneThree, said:  

The 101 service plays a vital role in connecting people with the police when they need them, but not every call requires police intervention. By using AI to understand the reason for a caller’s contact and help direct them to the right service, we can reduce unnecessary demand and help police teams focus their time and resources where they are needed most. This is a practical example of how technology can support public services, making it easier for people to get the help they need while helping to protect valuable police resources.

As part of its landmark police reform initiatives, the government is investing a record £16.5 million to modernise how the police and public interact. Alongside the new 101 triage system, this will include AI that transcribes 999 and 101 calls, and links crime reports to identify patterns in demand.   

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO, Neighbourhood Watch Network, said: 

Neighbourhood Watch volunteers and supporters have long fed back on the delays and poor service from the overloaded 101 service reported to them from local members of the public. This new AI call-routing system is a practical step towards a faster, smarter and more responsive 101 service. By directing non-policing calls to the right organisation at the start, it will help reduce waiting times for the public, protect vital police resources, and ensure officers and call handlers can focus on tackling crime, safeguarding vulnerable people and supporting victims. Neighbourhood Watch fully support this government initiative and hope it can be implemented quickly.

Al Murray, Interim Director at PoliceAI, said: 

Every minute spent dealing with a misdirected call is a minute that could be spent helping a victim or responding to a crime. This initiative shows how AI can better redirect non-police related calls from the system, get the public to the right service faster and free police officers to focus on the work only they can do. At a time when policing is facing growing demand, that matters more than ever. It is a powerful example of how technology can improve the public’s experience, strengthen support for victims and make better use of valuable police time.  

When introduced responsibly and with the right safeguards, AI has the potential to transform public services. This investment will help policing work more efficiently, deliver better value for taxpayers and allow officers and staff to spend more time protecting communities and tackling crime. It’s exactly the kind of practical, people-focused innovation that PoliceAI exists to support.