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Border Force could be deployed to edges of EU to stem flow of migrants

People believed to be migrants disembark from a British Border Force vessel after being picked up in the English Channel and brought to Dover last month - Stuart Brock/Shutterstock
People believed to be migrants disembark from a British Border Force vessel after being picked up in the English Channel and brought to Dover last month - Stuart Brock/Shutterstock

Border Force officers could be deployed to the edges of Europe under a new agreement to stem the flow of migrants.

The move emerged after Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, met her counterparts from the Calais Group of countries to discuss new strategies to crackdown on illegal migration and people-trafficking.

The UK will agree a new working arrangement with Frontex, Europe’s external border agency, in an effort to support its work to combat illegal migration.

It is understood it will initially focus on sharing intelligence and data but could be extended to training and allowing officers to work together on the EU borders patrolled by Frontex.

It follows the UK’s £63 million Channel deal with France under which British officers are embedded in French control rooms, giving them direct access to operations, at the same time as French officers are being embedded in UK centres.

After the meeting her French, German, Belgian and Dutch counterparts, Ms Braverman said: “Countries across Europe must work closely together to tackle illegal migration and crack down on the people-smugglers before these issues reach our borders.

“The Calais Group have held constructive discussions today on bringing solutions that will benefit all our countries and to ensure the evil criminals who profit in human misery are targeted and brought swiftly to justice. I look forward to our ongoing cooperation.”

A government source said: “Working together at Europe’s land and sea borders will enable countries to improve registration of irregular migrants and ensure rapid asylum and returns procedures so that illegal migration flows are reduced at source.”

Frontex has been focused on migration from the western Balkans, which has seen Albanians account for 30 per cent, or 12,000 of the record 44,000 migrants who have reached the UK across the Channel in small boats.

Ministers also agreed to increase cooperation of the joint intelligence cell in Calais to improve the identification and operations against people-smugglers. The cell has dismantled 59 organised crime groups involved in illegal crossings since it was set up in July 2020.

Ministers also agreed to increase work with third countries to stop migrants undertaking “perilous” journeys in the first place.