Landmark Summit Agrees New Measures to Combat Organised Immigration Crime

UK Government’s official website

Border Security Summit

The UK hosted a major international summit on 31 March 2025, bringing together global leaders, security officials, and law enforcement agencies to tackle organised immigration crime (OIC) and enhance border security. Led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the Organised Immigration Crime Summit focused on strengthening international cooperation to disrupt smuggling networks.

Delegates from countries including France, Iraq, Vietnam, and the USA, alongside organisations such as the National Crime Agency (NCA) and social media representatives, discussed key challenges such as dismantling smuggling supply chains, disrupting criminal finances, and combating the online promotion of illegal migration. Unlike previous summits, this event included both European nations and key source and transit countries, as well as those involved in supplying smuggling equipment like small boats and engines.

As part of the new agreements, the UK and France will launch joint initiatives targeting irregular migration, including community outreach and enhanced document fraud detection training for Iraqi officials. The UK government also announced £30 million in funding for international security projects across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Western Balkans to counter human smuggling networks.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed the importance of global collaboration, stating: “No single country can tackle this problem alone. The UK has secured international commitments to disrupt and pursue this vile criminal trade in people.” Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt described the summit as a “step change in the international community’s approach,” while NCA Director General Graeme Biggar highlighted the need for intelligence-sharing to track and dismantle smuggling networks.

The summit marks a significant milestone in the UK’s Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system. It follows the recent revelation that over 24,000 individuals without legal status have been returned since the last general election—the highest rate in eight years. A formal communiqué outlining the agreed measures has been issued, reinforcing the commitment to tackling organised immigration crime on a global scale.




PUKMEDIA / UK Government website