Smugglers could ‘rapidly’ change tactics and undo migrant crackdown gains, warns new border chief

CRIMINAL gangs could rapidly change tactics and wipe out progress on cutting small boat crossings, the Government has admitted. Crossings are down 43 per cent year on year because of a crackdown on dinghies reaching beaches and increased enforcement on smugglers running the routes. Small boat Channel crossings are currently down 43 per cent Credit: Dan Charity / Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd New Border Security Commander Duncan Capps, a former Army officer Credit: The Times But the new Border Security Commander Duncan Capps, a former Army officer, has admitted in his first annual report that the progress is “not definitive”. Despite the dip in crossings, the number of migrants in northern France ready and waiting for a chance to come to the UK has not changed. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Maj Gen Capps wrote: “Recent numbers are positive. “But this could change rapidly. “Particularly given the likelihood that organised criminal gangs will adapt their tactics and seek to drive renewed flows. “Especially over the summer months when conditions are more favourable. “We have steadily forced organised crime groups into a less advantageous position. “But we should be prepared for them to innovate to protect their profits.” Most read in The Sun So far this year 14,561 people have crossed the Channel in small boats. A Home Office source insisted that new policies were “beginning to bear fruit” but “we are not complacent”.