British border security officers begin major operation in the Balkans as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launches new plan to dismantle people smuggling routes to the UK

The UK government has taken its crackdown on illegal migration a step further by sending border security officers to the Balkans.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed the move, explaining that the new deployment is part of a broader plan to disrupt people-smuggling routes that start in southeastern Europe and end on the French coast before reaching Britain.

A Fresh Strategy to Stop People Smugglers

British officials are now working alongside law enforcement agencies across several Balkan countries to determine whether permanent UK teams should eventually be stationed in the region.

The goal is to cut off the land routes used by smugglers who help migrants travel from the Middle East and Asia through countries like Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia before reaching northern France.

To strengthen these efforts, the UK has agreed to fund essential surveillance tools — including drones and night vision equipment — that will help Balkan border agents track down trafficking networks.

Billions Spent, but Crossings Keep Rising

This latest initiative comes amid growing frustration over Britain’s ongoing migration crisis.

Despite spending more than £650 million to support French border operations since 2018, the number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats has continued to soar.

More than 175,000 migrants have made the journey since the start of the crisis, with 36,000 arrivals recorded so far this year alone — a 33% increase compared to the same time last year.

Since Labour came to power, nearly 60,000 migrants have reached British shores, with almost 2,000 arriving just last week.

Labour’s New Policy Faces Scrutiny

When Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took office last year, one of his first major decisions was to scrap the Conservative government’s controversial Rwanda asylum plan.

That scheme had aimed to deter illegal crossings by sending asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing.

In its place, Labour introduced a “one in, one out” deal with France — meaning that for every migrant returned to France, another would be accepted through legal routes.

However, the results so far have been underwhelming: only 26 migrants have been sent back to France, while more than 10,500 have arrived in the UK since the policy began.

UK Pledges to “Do Whatever It Takes”

Speaking on the new Balkan initiative, Shabana Mahmood was firm in her stance.

“Criminal gangs have turned the Western Balkans into a major transit route for illegal migration,” she said.

“I’ve instructed UK law enforcement to explore all options, including deploying operations in the West Balkans to tackle these routes.

I’ve pledged to do whatever it takes to secure our borders — and that is exactly what I’m doing.”

A Home Office spokesperson added that the collaboration could lead to additional UK law enforcement teams operating directly on Balkan soil, using British expertise to break up smuggling rings and share intelligence.

Building Partnerships Across Europe

The UK is also helping Balkan nations combat passport and visa fraud, offering technical support and training.

The countries involved include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia — all of which have seen significant migrant movement in recent years.

This partnership follows a summit in London, where Shabana Mahmood hosted interior ministers from the region to discuss coordinated approaches to border management.

According to Home Office data, nearly 22,000 migrants were smuggled through the Western Balkans in 2024 alone.

“Working Together to Dismantle Gangs”

Martin Hewitt, the UK’s Border Security Commander, emphasized the importance of cooperation.

“By working together — sharing intelligence and aligning strategies — we will target and dismantle the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people and damage our communities,” he said.

What Comes Next?

The success of this new Balkan partnership will be closely watched over the coming months.

With Channel crossings continuing to rise, the British government is under increasing pressure to prove that its latest measures will finally make a dent in the lucrative business of people smuggling — and restore control over who enters the country.