UK signs deal with Turkey to disrupt people-smuggling gangs

The UK and Turkey have agreed a new deal to disrupt people-smuggling gangs and tackle illegal migration.

The partnership includes a “centre of excellence” in Turkey to strengthen collaboration and increase intelligence-sharing between enforcement agencies.

The government said it would help to disrupt the supply chain of small boats parts through Europe.

But it does not include a deal to return failed Turkish asylum seekers.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick, who visited Turkey last month, said the partnership was backed by some funding but he would not say how much, telling GB News it was “not primarily about money” but sharing information.

The government said the new centre of excellence, which will be established by the Turkish National Police, would help the two countries share intelligence so staff could act more quickly on information.

It said more officers would also be deployed to Turkey to enable collaboration between National Crime Agency and Home Office staff based in the country and their Turkish counterparts.

A memorandum of understanding will also facilitate the quicker exchange of customs data and intelligence.

The Home Office said the export of small boats and parts across Europe to facilitate illegal crossings were “a vital element of smugglers’ tactics”, with hundreds of parts estimated to be transported for this purpose each year.