'They might have changed Home Secretary but thousands are still streaming across Channel'

HOME Secretary Shabana Mahmood said smuggling gangs are “wreaking havoc” after 1,097 migrants arrived in small boats on her first day in office.

- By Michael Knowles

It took this year’s total Channel arrivals past 30,000 in record time, increasing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer following his Friday reshuffle after Angela Rayner quit over a tax scandal.

Ms Mahmood has vowed to “explore all options to restore order to our immigration system” and sources close to her added nothing is “off the table”.

After the migrants reached the UK on Saturday, the new Home Secretary said last night: “These small boat crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.

“Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.

“Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary.”

Ms Mahmood will talk with her government counterparts from the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in London this week regarding measures aimed at stopping the people-smuggling gangs. The Home Office said the Five Eyes security alliance would also discuss plans to tackle child sexual abuse online and the spread of deadly synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

Ms Mahmood said: “Rebuilding our reputation on the world stage is how we tackle serious organised crime and secure our borders.

“We have already reset our relationship with the EU, struck a people smuggling deal with the G7 and operationalised a first-of-its-kind returns agreement with France.