British border security officers have been deployed to the Balkans for the first time as part of efforts to disrupt people smuggling routes to the UK. The Home Office confirmed that officers are working with European border agency Frontex to track down and arrest smugglers, while also training local border guards in the use of British drones and biometric technologies.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood hosted counterparts from the Western Balkans and other European allies at a London summit to agree measures to tackle illegal migration. She stated: 'I have instructed UK law enforcement to explore all options including deploying operations in the West Balkans to tackle illegal migration routes. I have pledged to do whatever it takes to secure our borders.'
According to the Home Office, around 22,000 people were smuggled by gangs along routes through the Western Balkans last year. The region—comprising North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo—has become a key focus for tackling illegal migration across Europe.
UK Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt has pledged to provide night vision goggles and drones to police in the Balkans after hosting the Balkans Border Police Chiefs’ Forum in Sarajevo. Next week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will host a leaders' summit with Western Balkan countries to agree further measures to reduce the number of migrants arriving illegally in the UK.
