New Task Force instigated to strengthen UK’s border security

The Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Task Force will be led by Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, national lead for serious organised crime at the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The creation of this Task Force follows an inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, which was commissioned in January 2024.

The inspection examined police force performance on tackling organised immigration crime between January and July 2024 and, while progress was acknowledged, this exercise highlighted the urgent need for more co-ordinated action against UK-based smuggling gangs. The report issued ten key recommendations, which this Task Force is now set to address.

This initiative reinforces the UK’s strategic commitment to border security by ensuring police forces across the country work in close partnership with the National Crime Agency, immigration enforcement and Border Force.

National response 

Wendy Gunney commented: “The Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Task Force will enable well-established partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to create a multi-agency national response in tackling organised immigration crime.”

The focus will be on enhanced intelligence sharing and co-ordinated operations that then allow the police to use every available tool to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks threatening the UK’s immigration system.

John Lucey, vice-president for the EMEA region at Cellebrite, commented: “We live in a global and interconnected world that brings people and goods closer together than ever before. This presents significant challenges to border security. From human trafficking to narcotics smuggling, today’s border threats are growing increasingly complex. The launch of a new Task Force to support the police response is a positive development.”

Lucey added: “Technology will play a crucial role in the success of the Task Force, with Artificial Intelligence-powered digital forensic and investigative solutions possessing the ability to greatly improve detection and response, while also ensuring lawful access. Mobile devices, for example, are typically the most revealing piece of evidence, with over 50% of prosecutors labelling digital evidence as more important than DNA.”

In conclusion, Lucey stated: “By equipping field agents with these solutions, police forces and border security officers can significantly reduce investigation time and make accurate, data-backed decisions quickly to ensure border operations remain efficient and secure.”

Wealth of experience

Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt noted: “Wendy’s wealth of experience and knowledge on serious and organised crime is a vital asset in our fight to tackle border security threats. I’m delighted that she has agreed to lead this Task Force.”   

Hewitt stated: “This Task Force is a key part of my whole-system approach to securing our borders. It puts tackling immigration crime at the forefront of policing priorities.”   

Further, Hewitt observed: “Police forces across the UK are already very committed to this issue, and while immigration-related arrests and, while charges have increased, we know there’s more work to do. This is about optimising the collective effort to deliver a properly functioning immigration system and a safe and secure border.”