Yvette Cooper to lead summit with figures from the intelligence agencies and police aimed at tackling criminal gangs
The former head of the British Border Force, Tony Smith, has said that tackling people-smuggles using the English Channel as a route was like playing “Whac-A-Mole”.
He said that a concerted effort was needed in Europe and in the countries organising the trade, telling listeners of the BBC Today programme:
This is a very lucrative business for the smugglers. Putting a smuggling gang out of business, there’s usually another one waiting in the wings because the money is there. It’s a bit like Whac-A-Mole, really. So you do need a very concerted international attempt, both in Europe and beyond.
We are very close to making that appointment. You have to go through certain processes to make sure you get the right person, give people time to apply. You can’t wave a magic wand. There’ll be announcements about that very shortly.
Continue reading… World news | The Guardian
