People smuggling gangs who exploit vulnerable people for financial gain could see their criminal enterprises dismantled more swiftly thanks to a £3.23 million funding boost for extra prosecutors.
The government has allocated extra funds to the Crown Prosecution Service to increase capacity for work on the Border Security Command.
The money will allow CPS to recruit additional staff in the areas at the front line of combatting organised immigration crime.
Speaking ahead of his speech at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, said, “We must continue to play our part in discouraging, disrupting and dismantling this exploitative trade through prosecutions and cross-border collaboration.
“These funds will play an important part in making sure we can recruit more prosecutors in the areas they are most needed so we can deal with these cases swiftly and efficiently.
“This work crosses borders, so collaboration with both domestic and international partners is vital to make sure the criminal justice system is joined up and these exploitative gangs are not falling through the cracks.”
Joanne Jakymec, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, added, “Our work with the Border Security Command will see us working closer with partners so we can gather the evidence needed to prosecute the organised criminal gangs who are facilitating illegal immigration.
“We will use the legal powers available at home to deprive criminal groups of their illicit cash and assets and facilitate the sharing of evidence abroad so criminals can be prosecuted wherever they operate.”
