British Prime Minister Calls on the World to Be Vigilant Against Human Smugglers

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at an international law enforcement conference on Monday that human trafficking gangs sending migrants across the English Channel in small boats pose a threat to global security, and they must be dealt with like terrorist networks.

Starmer told the meeting of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) that “the world needs to wake up to the seriousness of this challenge.”

He continued that “human trafficking should be seen as a global security threat equivalent to terrorism,” according to the Associated Press.

Starmer, who previously served as Attorney General for England and Wales, said that his government will “apply our successful counter-terrorism approach to tackling the gangs.” He pointed out that this means more cooperation between law enforcement agencies, closer coordination with other countries, and “enhanced” unspecified powers for law enforcement.

Starmer said that in counter-terrorism operations, “we can freeze their bank accounts, cut off their internet access, and arrest them for planning their actions before an attack occurs.” He added, “We also need to stop human trafficking gangs before they act.”