Former police chief Martin Hewitt has been appointed to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command, which will focus on tackling small boat crossings. As chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Mr Hewitt previously coordinated action by UK police forces on issues including terrorism and organised crime.
He will join Sir Keir Starmer on a visit to Rome on Monday, where the prime minister will meet his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni to learn from her country’s approach to tackling illegal migration. Italy has recently seen a dramatic fall in the number of migrants making the dangerous crossing from north Africa.Reducing the number of people crossing the Channel from France in small boats is one of the major challenges facing the new Labour government.
Over the weekend eight people died attempting the crossing. The Border Security Command will bring together intelligence agencies, police and border force officials to tackle the smuggling gangs behind small boat crossings.
Mr Hewitt led the NPCC between 2019 and 2023 and previously served as an assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan Police.
Downing Street said his experience coordinating the work of police, government and other agencies, including responding to major securing threats and managing the UK’s response to the Covid pandemic, was “key to his appointment”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “No more gimmicks. This government will tackle the smuggling gangs who trade the lives of men, women and children across borders.
Source: BBC
In other news – Police minister’s purse stolen at police conference
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson had her purse stolen from the hotel where she gave a speech at a conference for senior police officers on Tuesday.
Thieves struck while Dame Diana was giving a speech blaming the Conservatives for an “epidemic of antisocial behaviour, theft and shoplifting,” at the annual Police Superintendents’ Association (PSA) conference at a hotel in Kenilworth. Read more
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