A bolstered response to curb migrant crossings comes into force
today (Tuesday 31 January), as leadership of tackling small
boats in the Channel returns to the Home Office.
The newly created Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), which is part of
Border Force, brings together the government’s response to small
boats under a single integrated structure, enhancing the work
conducted alongside the military last year.
To support this, 730 additional staff will be recruited, with 100
of these located inside its UK headquarters, while the remainder
will bolster operations.
New air and maritime capabilities including new drones, boats,
land-based radar and cameras, will also be introduced under
SBOC. This
will aid our ability to track vessels on the water, identify
pilots and help to bring those responsible to justice.
The SBOC,
which will be led in the interim by director Duncan Capps, will
strengthen existing capabilities to oversee operations with the
French to disrupt crossings, save lives at sea and ensure the
effective processing of arrivals in the UK.
Military leadership of the operational response to Channel
crossings was always intended to be a temporary measure and
scheduled to end in January 2023. SBOC will continue to
work closely with the military during a handover period to
respond to the challenge of Channel crossings.
The command, through additional staff and new technologies, along
with close working with NCA and other European partners,
will deliver a more coordinated response in the Channel.
A government spokesperson said:
Last year we saw an unsustainable and unacceptable number of
people risking their lives to reach the UK illegally.
This simply cannot continue and that is why we are taking
immediate steps to tackle the evil people-smuggling gangs behind
these deadly crossings and get our immigration system under
control.
The return of Channel primacy to the Home Office, bolstered by
730 extra staff and led by director Duncan Capps, is a
significant landmark in our long-term plan to ensure the safety
and sovereignty of our borders and our communities.
We are building on the progress already made through the new deal
with France, and our determination will not waiver until we stop
the abuse of the asylum system and bring the smugglers
responsible to justice.
