Germany is set to tighten its laws to make it easier to prosecute individuals involved in smuggling migrants to the UK, following a new agreement between the two countries.
Currently, German law does not explicitly criminalize facilitating people-smuggling to non-EU countries like the UK, a gap that emerged post-Brexit. Under the new plan, Germany has pledged to criminalize such activities, according to the UK Home Office.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper hailed the agreement as “ground-breaking,” stating it would help crack down on criminal gangs orchestrating small boat crossings. However, the Conservative Party criticized the plan, arguing it lacks the necessary deterrents to curb the crossings effectively.
Earlier this year, a investigation revealed significant links between people-smugglers and the German city of Essen, where operations were being coordinated. The joint UK-German plan comes as UK authorities warn of the increasing dangers of Channel crossings. Charlie Eastaugh, director of the UK’s Border Security Command, described the situation as “extraordinarily dangerous,” with inner tubes being used as life jackets and overcrowded boats posing severe risks.
More than 33,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats this year, surpassing last year’s 29,000 but remaining below 2022’s record levels. Tragically, over 70 people have died attempting the journey, with average boat occupancy rising from 10 in 2019 to 53 this year.
Labour’s government, which came to power in July, has abandoned the Conservatives’ controversial Rwanda deportation policy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has instead focused on dismantling criminal smuggling networks. As part of this approach, Yvette Cooper and Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser signed the Joint Action Plan, which includes criminalizing people-smuggling activities and enhancing cooperation on removing smuggling-related content from social media.
Faeser emphasized Germany’s commitment to ending the “inhumane activities” of smugglers, noting many operations are planned within Germany. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized Labour’s approach, claiming it has led to an 18% rise in Channel crossings compared to last year.
The agreement was finalized ahead of a meeting of the Calais Group in London, where ministers and law enforcement officials from Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands gathered to address migration challenges in Europe.
