Britain Will Buy Up Boats To Keep Smugglers At Bay

Britain intends to stop international criminal gangs getting hold of the small boats used to smuggle people across the Channel.

- David Williamson

China and Turkey have been identified as key suppliers of the vessels and the Home Office and intelligence experts plan to disrupt the supply chains.

Their tactics include buying up stock to force up prices, with an increased focus on seizing boats that get into the “wrong hands” before they can be used.

The crackdown comes as more migrants are expected after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The Government is under intense pressure from backbench Conservative MPs to stop migrants and refugees illegally entering the UK via the Channel.

Momentum is building in support of major reform or even repeal of the Human Rights Act.

More than 25,000 people have risked their lives crossing to Britain from mainland Europe aboard dinghies, kayaks and other small boats since the start of last year, according to analysis by the Press Association.