Fourteen migrants, including 4 children, were found hidden behind cardboard boxes in a van
A British man who tried to smuggle migrant children as young as 1 into the UK by hiding them behind boxes in his van has been jailed for 4 years.
Trevor Saker, 44, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (July 27), after being found guilty of attempting to facilitate the entry of 14 migrants into the UK.
Saker had claimed to Border Force officers that he was travelling back to the UK from France after collecting shoes for his wife’s new business.
He was caught following an investigation by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) Unit.
The defendant, who now resides in Cadiz, Spain, was driving a Vauxhall Vivaro rental van when he was stopped by Border Force officers in the UK Control Zone in Coquelles, France in July 2018.
Officers found 14 illegal migrants in the back of the van, hidden behind cardboard boxes.
The migrants were identified as being Iraqi and Albanian nationals. Among the group were 4 children aged 1 to 6 years old.
The defendant was found guilty of assisting unlawful immigration following a thorough investigation and subsequent trial.
Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said: “This defendant showed no regard for the safety of 14 people including children as young as 1, in order to line his pocket.
“He has now been brought to justice, and this sentence sends a message that our officers are working night and day to tackle people smuggling and to ensure those responsible get the punishment they deserve.”
The City ouncil has agreed to write to the UK Government about their decision to use the cruise ship to accommodate asylum seekers.
Council Leader Councillor Cammy Day said:“Over the last year and a half, we’ve shown solidarity with, and support for, thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have fled Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, as we have for Syrian, Afghani and, most recently, Sudanese refugees.
“Thankfully most of us will never experience the horrors these communities have faced, and we remain absolutely committed to supporting them in whatever way we can.
‘As Ukrainian refugees continue to disembark MS Victoria following the Scottish Government’s decision to end its use next month, we were extremely surprised to be contacted by the Home Office about their intentions to commission the ship to house asylum seekers. All the more surprising given their previous advice that it would be impossible for it to remain.
‘We were not consulted on this and urgently require further details from the UK Government on their plans. I know the Scottish Government and COSLA are in the same position and, having written jointly to the Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP, we’ve yet to receive a satisfactory response to our questions and concerns.
‘The fact that Forth Ports, who own the dock and have said they can’t accommodate the ship, haven’t yet been contacted sums up the complete lack of engagement by the Home Office.
‘The potential consequences for the Council in terms of the pressures on our services – and the city as a whole – are severe and, barring robust partnership discussions involving NHS, police, and other colleagues, we will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest terms.
‘Many of these people have risked their lives to make it to Europe and what they need is recognition and rights, not an unknown future without the support they so desperately need.
‘While the MS Victoria has been a place of refuge for many Ukrainian people, until we have adequate reassurances from the UK Government regarding welfare and ongoing engagement and support, we cannot allow it to become a floating prison for asylum seekers.’
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Office has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while we consider their claim.
“The significant increase in illegal, unnecessary and dangerous Channel crossings has put our asylum system under incredible strain and made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers.
“We are committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and continue to engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation.”
The decision was taken at Thursday’s Council meeting; the motion: 8.11 and addendum can be read on CEC’s website. A webcast recording can also be watched online.
The Home Office deployed over 300 immigration officers on over 150 enforcement visits in one day to crack down on illegal working across the UK
The Home Office has conducted a record number of visits targeting illegal working in one day, as part of a nationwide operation.
During the operation, which took place across the UK yesterday, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested 105 foreign nationals found working without the right to do so during 159 illegal working visits.
The arrests took place at commercial premises including restaurants, car washes, nail bars, barber shops and convenience stores.
Suspects were arrested for offences including illegal working and possession of false documentation, with sums of cash seized at some locations.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended an early morning visit in Brent, North London, to observe Immigration Enforcement officers at work as part of the day of action.
Home Secretary, Suella Braverman said: “Illegal working harms our communities, cheats honest workers out of employment and defrauds the public purse as no taxes are paid. As the Prime Minister has set out, we are committed to tackling the abuse of our laws and borders.
“We know the prospect of black-market employment is a significant attraction for migrants considering making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK. Operations such as today send a clear message that we will not stand for this.”
Of those arrested, over 40 were detained by the Home Office, pending their removal from the UK, with the remaining suspects being released on immigration bail. It is also expected that a number of the arrests will result in voluntary departure from the UK.
Offenders of over 20 different nationalities were found to be working without the right to do so in the UK.
The operation builds on the ongoing work by Immigration Enforcement officers to clamp down on illegal working which is a key part of the government’s approach to stopping the boats.
This work tackles illegal migration by breaking the business model of criminal gangs who use the offer of black market jobs as one way to draw people to the UK illegally.
In the first quarter of 2023, Immigration Enforcement teams delivered 1,303 enforcement visits, a 57% increase on the same period last year, and since the PM set out his plan to stop the boats in December, arrests have now doubled since the same period last year.
Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, Eddy Montgomery, added: “This result demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our officers to take action against immigration offenders, as well as employers who are not complying with the rules. Our enforcement teams are working around the clock to deter immigration offending and help protect the public.
“Working closely with partners and agencies including the police and the National Crime Agency, we are tackling illegal working at every level. It is vital that we not only identify individuals in breach of immigration law but target the people smuggling networks behind this type of criminal activity.”
TORIES ‘FAILING’ VULNERABLE UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM-SEEKING CHILDREN
Deidre Brock MP will use a House of Commons debate today to call on the UK government to devolve immigration powers to the Scottish Parliament so Scotland can create an asylum system based on fairness and dignity.
Leading a Westminster Hall debate, the Edinburgh North & Leith MP will argue that the Tories are failing to protect vulnerable, unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK.
She will also outline how the Illegal Migration Bill will make the situation even worse for children who have been separated from their parents and how it significantly encroaches on devolved powers.
Commenting, Deidre Brock MP said: “The Tories have utterly failed in their duty to safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable unaccompanied children seeking safety and refuge in the UK.
“Hundreds of children have gone missing from Home Office run-hotels, sparking condemnation from the UN that the UK Government is failing in its obligations to prevent the trafficking of children.
The Illegal Migration Bill will make the situation even worse as the door will be slammed in their faces when they arrive in the UK to seek sanctuary.
“I am proud that Scotland has played its part in welcoming refugees who are desperate to rebuild their lives. However, powers still lie with the UK government and their hostile environment policies. Creating safe and legal routes is the only realistic way to disrupt the business model human traffickers use to exploit already vulnerable people.
“Power over immigration should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament so we can build an immigration system that works for Scotland and an asylum system with compassion and respect.”
The government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2nd February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.
The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:
the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children
postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children
priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same
the fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £86.00 to £94.00 for adults and £56 to £61.00 for children
overseas standard paper applications will increase from £95.50 to £104.50 for adults and £65.50 to £71.50 for children
The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.
The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.
Since January last year, over 95% of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling. Apply online for a UK passport.
Passport fees are reviewed in line with His Majesty’s Treasury guidance Managing public money.
The UK Government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.
The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:
the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children
postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children
priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same
The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.
The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.
Since January last year, over 95% of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling.
Two people have been sentenced for recruiting drivers to smuggle migrants in vans
Two men who dangerously smuggled 31 illegal migrants into the UK, including seven children and a pregnant woman, have been sentenced to a combined 14 years in prison.
Akan Brayan, of Nottingham, and Dylan Shwani, of Lincoln, were found guilty of recruiting drivers to hide migrants in hired vans containing various goods before smuggling them into the UK.
The defendants, both aged 37, were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday (7 June, 2022) following a five-year investigation by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) unit.
They were each sentenced to seven years in prison.
Between 2016 and 2018, Brayan and Shwani, paid six drivers from the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire areas to bring 31 Iraqi migrants, on six separate occasions, into the country.
Although the majority of the migrants were men, children as young as one and a pregnant woman were also found in the vans.
People were crammed into the vehicles among stacks of tyres, second-hand furniture and household goods being transported to the UK. Photos show in one of the vans a woman cradling a small child, with other children sat around her in the tightly enclosed space.
CFI teams found boxes of goods deliberately placed to hide people as well as paprika on the floor of one of the vans in an attempt to confuse sniffer dogs from detecting the migrants’ scents.
Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP said: “These brazen attempts to smuggle illegal migrants, including very young children, into the UK in tiny, air-tight spaces with room to barely move, are despicable.
“Our expertly trained officers continue to work round the clock to prevent this illegal activity, which puts lives in extreme danger.
“The Nationality and Borders Act will make it easier to prosecute people smugglers and, by making it a criminal offence to arrive in the UK illegally, we can truly break the business models of these callous criminals.”
Ben Thomas, Deputy Director for Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations, said: “My team work tirelessly to bring to justice anyone attempting to smuggle people unlawfully into the country.
“These two evil men endangered the lives of people, including children, to line their pockets without a care in the world for their safety. I hope these sentencings send a powerful message that breaking the law and putting individuals’ lives at risk will not go unpunished.”
Eleven people have been arrested in relation to illegally facilitating migrant crossings of the Channel
Eleven people have been arrested in relation to illegally facilitating migrant crossings of the Channel.
The joint operation took place in a number of locations last week (Tuesday 21 July) and was led by Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations. The operation, which was conducted in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police, the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and French law enforcement counterparts, was into organised immigration crime.
During the searches £150,000 cash was discovered and 2 vehicles were seized from the premises.
Those arrested are suspected of being members of an organised crime group that are enabling the facilitation of illegal migrants using small boats between France and the UK.
They were allegedly engaged in the movement of funds to support the illegal crossings and promoting the illegal entry of migrants into the UK, these arrests will significantly disrupt this activity.
Ten individuals arrested on Tuesday 21 July were taken to Wembley Police Station and released under investigation pending further enquiries. Another individual was arrested on Thursday 23 July. 12 properties were raided, 11 of which were in London and one in Sheffield.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I will not tolerate ruthless criminals looking to break to law by smuggling people into the UK illegally.
“I will put whatever resource is necessary to dismantle these gangs and stop these dangerous crossings, including going after the groups financing these criminal operations.
“This is a clear message to those behind these reckless crossings. We will find you and we will stop at nothing to put you behind bars and strip you of your ill-gotten gains”.
Minister for Immigration Compliance and the Courts Chris Philp, who attended the raid, said: “This action shows that we have the intelligence and capability to track down anyone involved in people trafficking. Through this operation we have hit them where it hurts – their pockets.
“We will stop at nothing to stop these dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and to make sure the criminals behind them are locked up and their assets are stripped.”
The arrests mark the culmination of months of intelligence sharing and collaborative working between UK and French law enforcement agencies into the organised criminal gangs facilitating immigration crime.
Matthew Long, NCA Deputy Director, said: “People smuggling gangs treat migrants as a commodity to be profited from, with no thought for their safety and security. This can have tragic consequences as we’ve sadly seen.
“Tackling this crime type and protecting life are priorities for us. We are working as one team with partners such as Immigration Enforcement, Border Force and policing. NCA officers in the UK deployed on this operation and our teams based in France also contributed. This is how we need to tackle this threat, using our international network, day in, day out.
“We have a shared determination to disrupt and dismantle organised immigration crime networks, and this operation is an example of that co-operation in action. Those who profit from misery should be ready to be brought to justice.”
Priti Patel met the new French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin on Sunday 12 July to discuss how the French and UK governments can do more to tackle illegally-facilitated Channel crossings by small boats.
Through a Declaration of Intent, it was agreed that a Franco-British Operational Research Unit to combat migrant smuggling will be established.
The new unit will collate, centralise and analyse operational intelligence to prevent crossings from taking place and to dismantle the gangs behind them.
The Home Office has announced that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland.
According to newly released official statistics up to the end of December 2019,
The top four nationalities in Scotland are Polish (47,160), Italian (11,000), Romanian (10,850) and Spanish (9,210).
The EU Settlement Scheme is designed to make it straightforward for EU citizens and their family members to stay after the UK leaves the EU – guaranteeing their rights in UK law.
To apply they only need to complete three key steps – prove their identity, show that they live in the UK and declare any criminal convictions.
Security Minister Brandon Lewis said: “It’s brilliant that there have been more than 135,000 applications to the EU Settlement Scheme from Scotland.
“EU citizens are an integral part of our society, culture and community and the scheme guarantees their rights in UK law. It’s free, straightforward and I encourage all EU citizens living in Scotland to apply today.”
Internal figures show that there have been more than three million applications to the scheme less than a year since it was fully launched to the public.
A wide range of support is available online, over the phone and in person to help EU citizens apply. There are more than 1,500 Home Office staff working on the EU Settlement Scheme with 250 based in Liverpool at the Settlement Resolution Centre supporting applicants with any questions about the scheme or who need help applying.
There are also more than 50 voluntary and community sector organisations – funded by the Home Office – which have helped hundreds of thousands of vulnerable EU citizens including the homeless, the elderly and victims of domestic abuse. This includes Community Renewal Trust, Simon Community Scotland and the Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux based in Scotland.
One of these organisations is PKAVS, who are supporting EU citizens in Perth and Kinross to apply to the scheme. On Thursday 6 February 2020, PKAVS are hosting a community event where representatives from the Home Office, Perth & Kinross Council, Perth Citizens Advice Bureau and the Ethnic Minorities Law Centre can answer the local community’s questions about the scheme.
Paul Graham, Chief Executive of PKAVS said: “We are pleased to be working with the Home Office to support vulnerable people in Perth and Kinross with their applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.
“We have helped approximately 900 people since Summer 2019 through our free helpline, our events programme, and individual support for those who need it most.”
