Devon and Cornwall Police have launched a major offensive against people smuggling operations with the deployment of a new £350,000 high-speed patrol vessel designed to secure the Southwest coastline. The significant investment comes as authorities report increasing attempts by criminal networks to exploit the region's extensive shoreline for illegal migration.
Coastal Defence Upgrade
The state-of-the-art vessel represents the latest weapon in the force's arsenal against organised crime groups orchestrating dangerous Channel crossings. Equipped with advanced surveillance technology and capable of operating in challenging sea conditions, the boat will conduct regular patrols across Devon and Cornwall's coastal waters.
Rising Smuggling Threat
Police authorities have expressed growing concern about people traffickers adapting their routes to avoid heightened security in traditional crossing points. The Southwest's rugged coastline, with its numerous secluded coves and harbours, has become an increasingly attractive alternative for smuggling operations.
Key operational capabilities include:
- Enhanced surveillance and detection systems
- Rapid response capacity for intercepting suspicious vessels
- All-weather operational capability
- Extended range for comprehensive coastal coverage
Multi-Agency Cooperation
The new vessel will operate as part of a coordinated effort involving Border Force, the National Crime Agency, and other regional police forces. This collaborative approach aims to create an impenetrable defence network against people smuggling activities throughout the Southwest region.
Police commanders emphasise that the investment demonstrates their commitment to tackling organised immigration crime at its source, while ensuring the safety of both coastal communities and those being exploited by smuggling networks.
