19 suspected people smugglers arrested in two weeks, Home Office says
Written by News on 24/10/2020
Nineteen people have been arrested in the past fortnight in connection with people smuggling across the English Channel.
The announcement was made as the Home Office revealed that French law enforcement has stopped more than 650 people from crossing the world’s busiest shipping lane in the past week.
The UK’s border force agency revealed that they went to four different incidents on Friday 23 October, detaining 33 migrants.
Clandestine Channel threat commander Dan O’Mahoney said: “We are taking action at every step of these dangerous and illegally facilitated journeys to make this route unviable.
“This includes working closely with the French who, since last Saturday, have stopped more than 650 people from making this crossing, seizing boats and equipment and intercepting people inland.
“We are also committed to fixing the asylum system, to make it fairer and firmer, compassionate to those who need help and welcoming people through safe and legal routes.”
The 19 people arrested were detained for suspected people smuggling and illegal entry.
At least 7,400 people have crossed the Channel this year by boat, according to the PA news agency.
(c) Sky News 2020: 19 suspected people smugglers arrested in two weeks, Home Office says
