Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 September 2024.

The government has pledged to crack down on ‘snatch thefts’ after this criminality soared by more than 150 per cent in the last year.

An estimated 78,000 people had phones or bags grabbed from them on the streets, with policing intelligence suggesting that this is being driven by increased demand for second hand smartphones, both in the UK and overseas.

To tackle this challenge head on, tech companies and manufacturers will be called to attend a Home Office summit on the issue, looking at the new innovations that could take on the illegal market. This will build on anti-theft smartphone features that some tech firms have already rolled out to protect their customers.

The government will also task police chiefs to tackle this scourge in neighbourhood theft. Operation Opal, the national police intelligence unit will launch an intelligence probe to gather urgent intel on the criminals who steal mobile phones, and where these devices end up. This will provide a stronger picture of the stolen mobile phone market, and identify what more needs to be done to tackle the problem.

Local police will also continue to surge police patrols in areas most at risk of serious violence, including robberies at knifepoint, with the government working with forces across the country to ensure that there is visible police presence in these hotspot areas to deter criminals and protect our communities.

New Home Office analysis commissioned by ministers concerned by growing reports of this issue has revealed the following:

• Crime Survey data estimates for the latest 12 months indicates the equivalent of more than 200 snatch thefts every day on streets across England and Wales, the highest rate in more than a decade, and almost 60 per cent higher than the annual average since 2012 to 2013
• the latest Crime Survey estimates showed overall theft from the person, which includes snatch and stealth thefts as well as attempts to steal from the person, increased by more than a third in the past year
• latest published estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show that over one third (36 per cent) of theft from the person offences involved theft of a mobile phone in the past year

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said:

With new phones coming to market and young people going back to school and university, many of us will have a new phone in our hands at this time of year. These figures are troubling and the government is determined to do whatever’s necessary to protect people entitled to walk the streets without the threat of robbery.

As part of our Safer Streets mission, this new government is determined to crack down on snatch theft, knife-enabled robbery, and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities, and we are working to get thousands more uniformed officers into our communities to restore neighbourhood policing.

Phone companies must ensure that any stolen phones can be quickly, easily and permanently disabled, rather than re-registered for sale on the second-hand market, and we will be meeting them soon to discuss what further action is required to make that happen.

If we work together, government, tech companies and law enforcement can break the business model of the phone thieves and moped gangs who rely on this trade.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Personal Robbery, Commander Richard Smith, said:

Personal robbery can have a devastating impact on victims, leaving them with trauma which can be lasting. Criminals often target some of the most vulnerable in society, such as children, with threats that violence may be used, making robbery particularly traumatic. We continue to target those habitual criminals responsible for prolific offending, whilst working to prevent young people from being into this type of offending.

During Operation Calibre, our national police week of action against personal robbery, police forces targeted their activity in over 1,250 known hotspot areas, increasing our visibility and operational activity and arresting those intent on committing crime. However, we know that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem. Manufacturers and the tech industry have an important role in reducing opportunities for criminals to benefit from the re-sale of stolen handsets.

There are several tips you can do to reduce the chances of you becoming a victim, included below. I encourage everyone to follow these and share them with family and friends. If in the unfortunate circumstances you are a victim of robbery, report it to the police or contact Crimestoppers.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

Members of an organised crime group have today been jailed for forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to allow people to live in the UK illegally.

Nigerian nationals Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court heard how, between March 2019 and May 2023, the defendants conspired to make fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications. They provided false Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other fraudulent documentation to support the applications of Nigerian nationals in order to remain in the UK.

An investigation led by Home Office criminal and financial investigators, in partnership with Home Office international operations based in Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents forged by the gang.

At trial, Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, and Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Earlier this week (27 August) at sentencing, Onifade received 6 years behind bars, Shodipo 5 years, Gbadamosi 18 months and Kabir 9 months.

Home Office Investigation Supervisor, Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran said:

This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.

As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people’s desperation to remain in the UK.

We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

A people smuggler who left 7 migrants requiring urgent hospital treatment after cramming them into a boiling lorry has been convicted.

Anas Al Mustafa, 43, was convicted today after ferry staff discovered the migrants screaming for help inside a tiny compartment of his lorry at Newhaven Ferry Port earlier this year.

The miniscule concealment, which was only 2 metres wide, left the 6 men and 1 woman squashed alongside each other and without the ability to move their arms from their sides.

On 15 February 2024, Mustafa booked to travel on a ferry from Dieppe to Newhaven in his van. The next morning, when he arrived in the UK, the migrants were found concealed in the rear of the van behind a fitted panel, which could only be accessed by a tiny hole measuring just 22 inches.

The court heard earlier this week that the group of migrants were heard banging and calling for help in the over-heated van on board the ferry as they were starved of oxygen. They were later taken to hospital and treated for heat exhaustion.

Mustafa was arrested at the scene for trafficking people into the country illegally. As he was arrested, he frantically deleted material from his mobile phone which was discovered later as the extent of his crimes unravelled.

Officers at the scene had already identified Mustafa as someone they had stopped previously for attempting to smuggle shisha and cigarettes into the UK.

Today (29 August), at Lewes Crown Court, Mustafa was found guilty of facilitating the breach of UK immigration law.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:

This appalling incident could have easily ended in tragedy, and everyone who was squashed inside this criminal’s van is incredibly lucky to still be alive.

We are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate this sort of life-threatening activity. Our new Border Security Command will work with partners across Europe to smash the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs and halt their activities long before they reach the UK.

Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations Deputy Director, Chris Foster, said:

Today’s conviction is a clear example of the lengths evil people smugglers will go to make cash. The lives of 7 people were put on the line after being crammed into a boiling and tiny concealment in the back of a van with no access to air.

I’d like to thank my investigating teams for their work on today’s case. We will continue to tirelessly pursue people smugglers who undermine our border security in an attempt to trade lives for money.

Lauren Doshi, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

The defendant in this case attempted to conceal his involvement in smuggling people into this country. A lot of effort had been put into adapting a van to hide people within the back of it in dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

All of this was designed to avoid the checks and border controls that we have to prevent unlawful immigration. He put the lives of those that he sought to smuggle into the UK at risk.

The CPS is committed to working with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those involved in people smuggling.

We will seek to pursue any money or assets gained through this criminality with our proceeds of crime division.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 August 2024.

Hundreds of rogue employers across the UK have been targeted by the Home Office during a nationwide weeklong intensive operation into illegal working.

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, announced last month that the government would crack down on unscrupulous employers who are hiring migrants illegally and exploiting vulnerable people, alongside extensive work to disrupt the criminal networks who bring the workers to the UK.

During an intensive week of action from Sunday 18 to Saturday 24 August, Immigration Enforcement teams carried out targeted visits to rogue businesses suspected of employing illegal workers, with a particular focus on car washes.

Over the course of the operation, more than 275 premises were targeted, with 135 receiving notices for employing illegal workers. In addition, 85 illegal workers have been detained.

In many cases, illegal workers live in squalid conditions on-site, earn far below the UK national minimum wage, work longer hours than legally allowed and may have entered the UK illegally, overstayed their visas or arrived under visitor conditions.

The fact they are paid so little also allows their employers to undercut honest competitors who follow the law, and these businesses often do not pay their fair share in taxes to contribute to the economy.

This operation is part of a larger, ongoing effort to tackle illegal employment and exploitation of vulnerable people in the UK. More operations of this kind will be conducted in the near future.

Unscrupulous employers are potentially liable to substantial financial penalties. The maximum civil penalty for employing illegal workers is £45,000 per worker for a first offence and £60,000 per worker for repeat violations.

Immigration Enforcement teams also play a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

It is completely wrong that dodgy employers can work hand-in-glove with the smuggling gangs who risk people’s lives to bring them here illegally and push them into off-the-books employment.

These workers are sold complete lies by the gangs before being made to live and work in appalling conditions for a pittance. We are determined to put a stop to this, which is exactly why we have launched crackdowns such as this.

While this operation marks an important step forward, our commitment to tackling this issue is ongoing. We will ensure those who break the rules face the full force of the law.

Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement, Eddy Montgomery said:

This week’s operation shows how dedicated the Home Office is to protecting vulnerable people and holding employers accountable.

We’re dedicated to stopping exploitation by criminal gangs, ensuring vulnerable people receive the correct support and make sure that those who break the law face serious consequences.

I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country for their hard work and teamwork in preparing for and conducting this national operation.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 August 2024.

£10.5 million to prepare the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel for the upcoming EU digital border system.

Ahead of upcoming changes at the border being implemented by the EU, the government has today (27 August 2024) announced £10.5 million to support preparations at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel.

This autumn, the EU will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES) – a new digital border system. Travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries will have to register at the border by having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

In order to reduce the risk of queuing and disruption, the government is taking action with this funding to help ports to install the necessary EES technology and complete work to get their sites ready for the checks coming into force.

Each port will receive a £3.5 million funding boost.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said:

Nobody wants to see excessive queues at our ports, which is why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the upcoming change – despite EES being an EU initiative.

Since coming into government, we have been reviewing plans and closely supporting ports to make sure they have the right processes in place so that EES registration can be smooth and queue times kept to a minimum.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra will visit the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel today to see the ongoing EES preparations.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:

While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states and ports to ensure we are well prepared, and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.

This additional funding for ports will ensure they have the right technology and processes in place, so that EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.

At the Port of Dover, this funding will be used to expedite work on the Granville Dock Project, where the existing marina at the Western Docks will be infilled and used as a site for EES processing.

At Eurotunnel and Eurostar, this funding will be used to install kiosks, in addition to those already installed, undertake rigorous testing to reduce the risk of disruption, and support recruitment and training of staff to contribute to smoother EES implementation.

The 3 ports have been making significant progress in their EES planning and are now on track for a smooth transition ahead of implementation later this year.

Today’s announcement forms part of the new government’s plan to prepare for EES, after the Home Office enabled French border officials to operate within an expanded border control zone at the Port of Dover, allowing more space to process passengers.

Emma Ward, Chief Operations Officer, Port of Dover, said:

The funding is a welcome step towards the significant investments we are making to support government plans to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s EES scheme.

We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system whilst we continue to work with the UK government to deliver more seamless travel between the UK and EU.

Simon Lejeune, Eurostar Chief Safety and Stations Officer, said:

To ensure our customers continue to enjoy a seamless Eurostar experience as we prepare for the implementation of EES, we have made substantial investments in our station infrastructure.

With support from the government, we have enhanced our facilities and upgraded our technology to meet the new requirements. Eurostar will be fully prepared and compliant by November, ensuring a smooth transition for all our passengers.

Yann Leriche, CEO, Getlink (Eurotunnel) said:

Getlink started working 2 years ago on the adaptation of its terminal for the new EES regulation – the focus has always been on customer satisfaction, delivering the most competitive crossing time and experience at the border for non-EU travellers.

This funding will be used to test and add new technology on the UK terminal, that will be deployed during peak periods, providing more kiosks, if needed, in addition to the 106 already installed in the UK, plus the recruitment and training of staff whose focus will be to assist EES passengers.

The Group has invested more than £70 million since the beginning of the process, designing and building a new dedicated EES Zone on each terminal, making sure that when the new regulation is introduced people will travel through the Channel Tunnel just as easily as they do today.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 August 2024.

Members of a people-smuggling ring have been jailed yesterday after being caught cramming 2 Afghan migrants into a tiny car boot.

Images show the migrants wedged into the boot as the gang tried to transport them between France and the UK.

British pensioner Rashida Ayub (69) and Afghan nationals Jumagaul Mohamadi (57) and Wshiar Sarteep (31) have yesterday been jailed for more than 10 years combined after a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

The court heard how on 29 January 2017, UK Border Force officers conducted a search in Coquelles, France of a Kia Sportage which was driven by Ayub and bound for the UK. During the search they found 2 Afghan nationals concealed in the boot. Ayub was arrested at the scene.

An investigation into Ayub’s finances and mobile phone data led officers to identify Mohamadi and Sarteep as further members of the smuggling operation.

At trial, the jury found the 3 guilty of facilitating the commission of a breach of UK immigration law. All 3 were remanded until sentencing today.

Ayub was sentenced to 4 years, Mohamadi to 3 years and 6 months and Sarteep to 32 months.

This sentencing is the latest development in an extensive investigation launched by Home Office Criminal and Financial investigators into people smuggling routes into the UK.

Home Office Criminal Investigation Supervisor, Paul Moran said:

Thousands of pounds were exchanged to smuggle these people into the country, with total disregard for their safety and welfare. They were crammed inside the boot to allow it to close.

As with many smuggling operations we encounter, the sole priority of these criminals is financial gain, at the expense of those they exploit under false promises. I am delighted our teams have stopped them from succeeding.

We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who heartlessly endanger vulnerable people to make money.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 August 2024.

Home Secretary announces new measures to strengthen border security, enforce immigration rules and increase returns.

New measures to boost Britain’s border security are being set out today (21 August) by the Home Secretary, including the immediate recruitment of up to 100 new specialist intelligence and investigation officers at the National Crime Agency (NCA) to target, dismantle and disrupt organised immigration crime networks.

Yvette Cooper has also today announced a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity, to make sure that immigration and asylum rules are respected and enforced – saying that the government has new plans for the next 6 months to achieve the highest rate of removals of those with no right to be here, including failed asylum seekers, for 5 years (since 2018).

In addition, a new intelligence-driven illegal working programme will be rolled out to target, investigate and take down unscrupulous employers who illegally employ those with no right to work here.

The new measures are fulfilling on the government’s commitment to provide long-term security to our borders. They include:

• up to 100 new specialist intelligence and investigations officers deployed to the National Crime Agency (NCA) to disrupt and smash criminal smuggling gangs and prevent dangerous boat crossings
• a large surge in enforcement and returns flights, with the aim of putting removals at their highest level since 2018, reversing the damaging drop in enforcement over recent years
• increased detention capacity including 290 added beds at Campsfield and Haslar Immigration Removal Centres
• redeployment of staff to drive this increase in returns
• sanctions to be taken against unscrupulous employers who hire workers illegally

This comes on top of the 50% uplift in the number of NCA officers stationed in Europol. These officers have been immediately deployed to support European operations to disrupt the activity of criminal smuggling gangs making millions out of small boat crossings.

The NCA currently has around 70 investigations targeting the highest harm criminal networks involved in people smuggling and trafficking, and worked with international partners to support the seizure of around 400 boats and engines intended for use in channel crossings.

A range of sanctions, including financial penalty notices, business closure orders and potential prosecution, will be taken against those employing illegal workers. Those caught working illegally and eligible for removal will be detained, pending their swift removal.

Alongside this, the government is increasing detention spaces to support the higher pace of removals including reopening and adding 290 beds across Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) at Campsfield and Haslar. This increase will ensure there is additional capacity to facilitate higher levels of enforcement and returns so that rules are properly respected.

Building on 9 successful returns flights in the last six weeks, including the largest-ever chartered return flight, the government is redeploying personnel and resources to support further activity.

Staff are being redeployed to increase removal of failed asylum seekers, which had dropped by 40% since 2010. Three hundred caseworkers have already been reassigned to progress thousands of failed asylum and returns cases, including enforced and voluntary returns.

Enhanced digital capabilities will be deployed to ensure consistent contact throughout, preventing those with no right to be here from disappearing into exploitative illegal working and ensure they can be returned.

This enforcement surge, overseen by Bas Javid, the Home Office’s Director General for Immigration Enforcement, is part of the government’s plans to transform the asylum system and secure UK borders. This will ensure that all Immigration Enforcement processes are implemented firmly, fairly, and accurately throughout, whilst also taking account of the important lessons learnt from Windrush.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

We are taking strong and clear steps boost our border security and ensure the rules are respected and enforced.

Our new Border Security Command is already gearing up, with new staff being urgently recruited and additional staff already stationed across Europe, working with European enforcement agencies to find every route in to smashing the criminal smuggling gangs organising dangerous boat crossings which  undermine our border security and putting lives at risk.

And by increasing enforcement capabilities and returns we will establish a system that is better controlled and managed, in place of the chaos that has blighted the system for far too long.

NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones said:

Tackling organised immigration crime remains a key priority for the NCA and we are dedicating more effort and resource than ever before. These extra officers will play a key role in that, with the NCA currently leading around 70 investigations into the highest harm people smuggling and trafficking groups.

Taking on these dangerous and exploitative gangs requires international co-operation and we continue to further enhance our already strong relationship with Europol and other law enforcement partners. We are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle these networks, whether they are operating in the UK or overseas.

This work builds on the Prime Minister’s meeting at the European Political Community last month, where he held discussions with the migration working group alongside Italy, Albania, Germany, Malta, Denmark, Hungary, The Netherlands, and Slovakia. The European leaders discussed border security, their joint efforts to tackle people-smuggling, and the ambition to work collectively with other countries to deliver solutions.

Since taking office, the Home Secretary has also held calls with a range of partners to discuss increasing cooperation to tackle organised immigration crime.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 August 2024.

A nationwide call to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes has been launched by the government, before these dangerous weapons are banned from our streets.

From 24 September, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.

Ahead of the new ban coming into force, anyone who has one of these weapons is being urged to hand them over – safely and legally.

This scheme​ will be run at police stations across England and Wales for four weeks between 26 August and 23 September, without repercussions for surrendering these potentially dangerous knives safely.

Individuals can also anonymously dispose of these weapons using safe, surrender bins, by contacting their local police, council or an anti-knife crime charity to find out about alternative options, other than police stations, in their area.

After 24 September, anyone caught with a zombie-style knife or a machete faces time behind bars.

Policing Minister, Diana Johnson said:

Too many people have access to weapons that can lead to devastating, life-changing consequences. There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind to be in our homes or on our streets.

That is why we will continue to make sure the tightest restrictions are in place to limit the availability of these lethal weapons. Implementing a ban on zombie-style knives is just the first step in our ambitious, dedicated plan to halve knife crime within a decade, and will closely be followed by making ninja swords illegal.

It is absolutely crucial that members of the public come forward and safely hand in these weapons. We are offering people the chance to do the right thing – to help make our streets safer, prevent further loss of life and save so many futures.

We cannot do this alone, political, policing and community leaders must work together to bring the knife crime epidemic to an end and offer a better future for our young people.

Participating police stations are spread across the country, and people should contact their designated police station first to get advice on how to package up any weapons and bring them into the station. Members of the public who may be in possession of these weapons should read the government guidance to find their nearest designated police station and for further information about how they can hand these weapons in.

This scheme is just one part of the government’s pledge to halve knife crime in a decade. Next steps will include further bans, stronger rules to stop online sales, and tough action to stop young people being drawn into crime.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 July 2024.

Afghan families separated during the evacuation from Kabul in August 2021 will no longer be left in limbo as the government today confirms the expansion of the UK’s flagship Afghan resettlement scheme, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

Afghans who were evacuated to the UK under Pathway 1 of the ACRS who travelled without their immediate family members can now refer their closest family members. This includes children who were under the age of 18 at the time of the evacuation, and spouses or partners, for relocation to the UK. Children evacuated without their parents will also be able to make a referral to relocate their parents or siblings here, and can be supported to complete their application by a trusted adult.

UK-based Afghans will be able to submit a referral for their family members via an online form which will be available from today (Tuesday 30 July). The window for referrals will remain open for 3 months until 30 October 2024. The government will consider additional family members in exceptional circumstances.

Immigration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said:

It’s been almost 3 years since the evacuation of Kabul, and yet there remains an urgent need to ensure that those who assisted our efforts in Afghanistan by upholding democracy, freedom and human rights, often at huge personal risk to themselves and their families can be reunited.

It is our moral duty to ensure that families who were tragically separated are reunited and are not left at the mercy of the Taliban, which is why I have expanded ACRS so that those who were left behind can be resettled in the UK. Afghans did right by us, and we will do right by them, ensuring our system is fair and supports those most-at risk and vulnerable.

Operation Pitting, which took place between 13 and 28 August 2021, was one of the UK’s largest airlifts with over 15,000 people evacuated from Kabul in 2 weeks. The speed and unprecedented circumstances of the evacuation led to people being evacuated to the UK without their immediate family members.

During Operation Pitting, the UK ‘called forward’ for evacuation a number of people identified as being particularly at risk including female politicians, members of the LGBT+ community, women’s rights activists and judges. These people were resettled in the UK under Pathway 1 of the ACRS which prioritises the resettlement of vulnerable Afghans who are eligible. The scheme remains open and the government will continue to work with the UNHCR, likeminded partners, and countries neighbouring Afghanistan to support people’s safe passage to the UK.

Under the expansion of the scheme, family members will also need to attend a visa application centre to submit their biometrics and travel documents before their visa is issued and they can travel to the UK.

Afghan citizens resettlement scheme: Separated Families Pathway – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 July 2024.

46 foreign criminals and immigration offenders have been returned to Vietnam and Timor-Leste on a groundbreaking charter flight.

The operation is the UK’s first-ever charter returns flight to Timor-Leste, and the first to Vietnam since 2022.

It comes after the Home Secretary announced this week that she has immediately replaced flight planning for Rwanda with flights to return foreign criminals and immigration offenders who have no right to be here to their home country.

After setting off on Wednesday (24 July), the flight arrived in Timor-Leste at approximately 9am BST today (25 July), having transported the cohort from the UK to the 2 countries in south-east Asia.

The flight highlights the government’s commitment to expanding its returns ability for individuals without the right to remain in the UK and building strong relationships with partner nations in a shared mission to end irregular migration. Vietnam has recently been one of the top nationalities crossing the Channel in small boats.

The operation began on the same day as a gang of British people-smugglers, including a brother and sister, were jailed after trying to hide 2 Vietnamese migrants in a hidden compartment of their campervan.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

Today’s flight shows the government is taking quick and decisive action to secure our borders and return those with no right to be here.

We thank the governments of Vietnam and Timor-Leste for their co-operation, without which this could never have happened. Our strong diplomatic bonds with other countries have never been more crucial to our mission to bring order back into the asylum and immigration system, tackling irregular migration, and making sure the rules are properly respected and enforced.

Images from the court case show the migrants crammed into the dangerously small crawlspace, less than 1 foot high, as they were transported between the UK and France.

Siblings Natalie Sirrell and Alan Sirrell, Casey Dennis Loughnane, and Charlotte Smyth have been sentenced after a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

The court heard how on 19 July 2020, Border Force officers conducted a search of a campervan bound for the UK in Coquelles, France. During the search, they found 2 Vietnamese nationals concealed underneath a bed.

Driving the van was Natalie Sirrell, with Charlotte Smyth in the passenger seat. Both were arrested at the scene.

An investigation led officers to identify Alan Sirrell, Loughnane and Benjamin Tokeley as further members of the smuggling operation.

Alan Sirrell was sentenced to three and a half years behind bars and Loughnane to four and a half years after being found guilty at trial of conspiring to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law.

Natalie Sirrell was sentenced to 2 years suspended, electronic monitoring and a £500 fine, and Smyth to 2 years suspended after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to the same offence. Credit was given by the judge due to the length of time passed to reach court, and for early pleas from Natalie Sirrell and Smyth.

Tokeley pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and is due to be sentenced separately at a later date.

Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation Lead for the North East Command, Stuart Wilkinson said:

Today’s sentencing is the result of strong collaboration between agencies to bring another people-smuggling ring to justice.

Our teams will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who heartlessly endanger vulnerable people to make money. I am enormously grateful for the tireless efforts of the officers involved in this case.