Big rise in arrests as NCA targets people smuggling networks

NCA arrests for offences linked to people smuggling have gone up by more than 55% in a year, according to new figures. From April 25 to March 26, the NCA was involved in around 300 arrests, both in the UK and overseas, compared to 190 the year before.

We led on 400 disruptions against OIC networks, each of which will have removed, prevented or reduced a criminal threat, compared to 350 in the previous year. Organised immigration crime now accounts for around a quarter of the NCA’s overall operational activity, with around 100 investigations ongoing into the top tier of this form of criminality.

These investigations involve the highest harm, highest threat crime groups or individuals. Tackling organised immigration crime remains a top priority for the NCA, and we are putting more resource into targeting the criminal networks behind it than ever before.

We know our activity is having an impact, we are having a disruptive effect on OCGs, and we are making the UK a more difficult place for them to target. Read the full story on our website.