Former Police Chief Martin Hewitt Appointed to Lead UK Border Security Command
Martin Hewitt, a former police chief, has been chosen to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command. His main job will be to stop small boat crossings across the English Channel. This decision comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to visit Italy to learn about its immigration policies.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper believes that appointing Hewitt shows the government is taking real action to control the crossings. She criticized the previous government’s approach, saying they used “gimmicks” rather than serious solutions.
Importance of International Cooperation
Cooper emphasized that working with other countries is the only way to manage migration effectively. She did not give a specific timeline for when the number of boat crossings might decrease.
When asked about working with Italy’s right-wing government, Cooper said it’s common for the UK to work with governments of different political views. She noted that collaboration is necessary to address shared issues like migration.
Hewitt’s Role in Tackling Illegal Crossings
Martin Hewitt, who used to lead the National Police Chiefs’ Council, was in charge of enforcing lockdown rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, he will head efforts to stop illegal boat crossings. Cooper highlighted that criminal groups often organize these crossings, and there hasn’t been enough European cooperation to tackle the problem.
She said, “We need to take practical steps. Criminal gangs are operating across borders, organizing the boats and engines used for these dangerous crossings. This is a serious issue that requires coordinated law enforcement.”
No Quick Fixes
Cooper was asked when we might see a decrease in crossings. She replied that the goal is to act as quickly as possible but stressed that this will not be solved with “headlines or gimmicks.” She added, “We must focus on hard work to get the results.”
Learning from Italy’s Success
Prime Minister Starmer is traveling to Rome to study how Italy has reduced small boat arrivals by two-thirds over the past year. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made deals with countries like Tunisia and Libya to strengthen border security and stop boats from departing.
This autumn, Italy plans to open a holding center in Albania. Asylum seekers rescued at sea will be taken there while their applications are processed, aiming to reduce the number of illegal crossings further.
Calls for Caution
Some groups, including the Refugee Council and Amnesty International, have urged Starmer to avoid making decisions that seem like “gimmicks.” One Labour party member even questioned why the UK is learning from Italy’s government, which has been criticized for its far-right views.
Cooper responded, “It’s common for us to work with democratically elected governments, even if we disagree. It’s necessary, especially when facing shared challenges like migration.”
This appointment marks a step towards a more coordinated and practical approach to controlling illegal Channel crossings. However, the government does not see an easy or quick solution to the problem.
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