A total 23 people have been arrested as part of a series of investigations into people smuggling.

They include 11 suspect accused of facilitating illegal crossings of the Channel into Kent via small boats.

The operations were conducted by officers from Immigration Enforcement's criminal and financial investigations teams and the National Crime Agency.

Steve Dann, director of criminal and financial investigations, said: "The organised crime groups behind the illegal attempts to cross the border, either by land or sea, are putting the lives of vulnerable people in serious danger for their own financial gain.

"We are determined to put a stop to this illegal activity and disrupting the ruthless criminals who facilitate it is key.

"That is why the arrests made in recent days are so significant."

Steve Reynolds, head of organised immigration crime operations for the NCA, said: "As these operations demonstrate, the NCA is working closely with law enforcement partners in the UK and France to disrupt people smuggling networks, protect the security of the UK border and prevent loss of life.

"Attempts to cross the Channel have also been thwarted on the French side as a result of intelligence sharing."

On September 16, immigration enforcement officers arrested a 49-year-old Iraqi man at an address in Holwell, Hertfordshire, and a 60-year-old British man at an address in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire.

Both were detained on suspicion of facilitating a breach of the UK’s immigration rules in relation to a small boat incident on August 31 this year.

The next day officers arrested a 33-year-old British man at an address in Middle Rasen on suspicion of facilitating a breach of the UK's immigration rules in relation to a small boat incident on December 11, 2018.

Last Saturday officers arrested a 35-year-old Iranian man at an address in Cardiff. on suspicion of facilitating a breach of the UK’s immigration rules in relation to a small boat incident on August 31 this year.

All four men have been released under investigation.

The NCA later made another seven arrests related to small boat activity.

In addition, CFI officers arrested 12 suspected people smugglers at the UK’s juxtaposed controls in northern France between Monday, September 16, and last Friday as a result of intelligence from Border Force.

They were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the UK in motor vehicles.

The investigations will now continue with the evidence gathered during these operations.

There has been a continual trend over the last year of migrants using small boats to cross the English Channel to reach the UK.

This has led to incidents at sea or on shore in the areas of Folkestone, Romney Marsh, Deal and Thanet.

Many migrants found mid-sea have been brought in by the Border Force to Dover for medical assessment and processing.

The Home Affairs Committee has heard that up to July 22 there were 1,150 attempts during 2019 by individuals to cross the Channel illegally

The Home Office says the UK continues to work closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle illegal small boat crossings.

Border Force cutters are patroling the Channel and equipment including CCTV and night-vision goggles have been deployed on the French coast.

Last month Home Secretary Priti Patel and her French counterpart Castaner agreed to intensify joint action to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel.

This includes drawing up an enhanced action plan to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings.

Since January, more than 80 people who entered the UK illegally on small boats have been returned to Europe.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit or via the anonymous form.

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