Revealed: Criminal gangs are making up to £1.6million a DAY from small-boats crossing the channel into Britain
- People smuggers charge around £4,000 per person to cross Channel
Criminal gangs are making up to £1.6 million a day from small boats crossing into Britain, it has been revealed.
On March 4, 401 people were smuggled on to Britain's shores in seven small boats – a record for a single day so far in 2024.
Analysis by the Labour Party has found that, according to French police, the average cost demanded from people-smugglers to cross the Channel is £4,000 per person – and so these illegal migrants would have paid the gangs about £1.6 million.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: 'The criminal smuggling gangs are making huge profits from this horrific trade.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured) has said Labour would crack down on smuggling gangs
Criminal gangs are making up to £1.6 million a day from small boats crossing into Britain, it has been revealed
On March 4, 401 people were smuggled on to Britain's shores in seven small boats – a record for a single day so far in 2024
Analysis by the Labour Party has found that, according to French police, the average cost demanded from people-smugglers to cross the Channel is £4,000 per person
'Rather than wasting billions on the Rwanda gimmick, Labour would crack down on the smuggling gangs running small boats, establishing a cross-border policing unit to go after them upstream and smash their business model.'
More than 40,000 migrants have reached the UK in small boats since Rishi Sunak became Prime Minister, despite the fact that stopping them was one of the five key promises he gave early in his premiership.
A Home Office spokesman said: 'This Government is committed to breaking the gangs' business model, securing our borders and stopping the boats.
'That's why we have taken robust action to crack down on these criminals, deter migrants from making dangerous crossings and, alongside our French counterparts, intercept vessels.
'This relentless action reduced crossings by 36 per cent last year.'
