Specialist teams from Hampshire Constabulary have been working with Border Force, Immigration Enforcement, Bedfordshire Police and Thames Valley Police in and outside of Hampshire to raise awareness about organised immigration crime, letting people know about the signs to look out for and encouraging the local community to report any suspicious behaviour or incidents.
The term ‘organised immigration crime’ is used to describe both the facilitation of illegal entry into, and presence in, the country and also human trafficking.
The most common clandestine ways for migrants to enter the UK are in Lorries or other commercial vehicles transported by rail or ferry, in commercial shipping containers, or in small boats. Organised gangs frequently smuggle people in hard-sided Lorries, more opportunist smuggling tends to be in soft-sided Lorries. Most methods of transport subject migrants to significant personal risk.
Part of the work carried out by Hampshire Constabulary between 1st-5th March has been working closely with Border Force and supporting their Clandestine Entry Penalties Team on various road networks travelling northbound from UK Ports. This involved the Roads Policing Teams, Commercial Vehicle Unit, and Neighbourhood Policing Teams all working collaboratively to stop lorries, educate drivers and haulier companies coming from overseas to the UK to implement better security in order to restrict clandestine entry and disrupt organised crime gangs.
Over the week, Police undertook activity that looked to:
- Disrupt organised crime gangs who facilitate clandestine entry into the UK
- Encourage hauliers to implement better security on hard and soft sided lorries though stop checks and enforcing Border Force penalties
- Identify and protect those found to be trafficked
On Wednesday 3rd March, Hampshire Constabulary’s Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Team went out with the Marine Unit on the Solent and worked with Harbour Masters to raise awareness around organised immigration crime.
Hampshire Constabulary’s lead for Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime, Detective Chief Inspector Ross Toms said:
“Criminals are making cash by illegally smuggling desperate and vulnerable people into the UK through dangerous methods. By working with neighbouring police forces, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement, service stations, and members of the public, we are doing all we can to tackle the issue together.
“It is important to remember that those who are smuggled are then often forced into modern slavery and other crime, having been promised a better life in the UK and forced to pay large amounts of money to get here, to organised crime gangs.
“There are also serious penalties for those caught helping to smuggle people into the UK in the back of lorries. They could be arrested and investigated and their employer could face substantial fines for not having appropriate security.
“We would advise anyone who thinks that there may be people trapped in a lorry or vehicle to report it to police immediately to 999 as a life could be put at risk.
“Following this week of action, we will continue to raise awareness about this crime, letting people know about the signs to look out for and encouraging the local community to report any suspicious behaviour to us – or independent charity Crimestoppers.”
During the week of action, no one was found trying to make an illegal entry to the UK and no one was arrested.
For more information about the work going on to tackle organised immigration crime please visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/campaigns-media/campaigns/say-no-to-people-smuggling.
Who do I contact to get smuggled into France?
The Captain,
Floating Bridge 6,
County Hall,
Newport.
Sailing anytime now.
Well it has got to go somewhere as it is no good here.
No story here, move along….
“During the week of action, no one was found trying to make an illegal entry to the UK and no one was arrested.”
😀
During the week of action, no one was found trying to make an illegal entry to the UK and no one was arrested.
……
The media is awash with stories of boats arriving on the beaches, pictures of people trying to get into lorries in france and good old plod ensure they are in areas that have none of this reported – virtually guarantees no paperwork and an easy shift.
Maybe do this in summer. Just sit on Ventnor beach or at the cliffs near the Botanical Gardens… No need for expensive boats, just a pair of Binoculars, you will see the boats emerge from the sea mist easily.