People smuggling

‘We need a radical new approach’: PM orders spy chiefs to block illegal immigration routes into the UK with secret operations against people-smuggling gangs

Spy chiefs will for the first time be tasked with helping to block illegal immigration routes into the UK.

Theresa May has asked the heads of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ to run covert operations against people-smuggling gangs.

She wants the intelligence bosses to help find evidence that could secure convictions and end the ‘horrifying inhumanity’ of ‘modern slavery’ in the UK.

Normally, the spy agencies’ activities are limited to terrorism and the most serious organised crime. But, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Mrs May said she wanted people-smuggling and exploitation to be elevated to the same level.

The Prime Minister said the world was experiencing unprecedented levels of immigration and ‘mass displacement’ of people.

She urged a string of world leaders to do more to tackle the problem at its sources – pledging tens of millions of pounds of British aid to those who agree to help.