Illegal migration is impacting Scotland daily, despite its distance of 466 miles from the English Channel. This issue was highlighted by Graham Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, during the 92nd General Assembly of Interpol in Glasgow. Speaking to BBC Scotland, Biggar confirmed that while the main crisis is centered around the Channel, migrants are also arriving via flights into airports such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, showcasing the widespread nature of the problem.
Biggar emphasized that migration challenges are not limited to southern England, stating, “It is certainly an issue for Scotland. The main issue may be occurring in the Channel, but we have others flying into different airports in the UK every single day.” His comments came amid heightened attention to the UK’s response to illegal migration, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer attending the assembly and calling for stronger measures.
The Prime Minister announced an additional £75 million to enhance border security, aiming to combat people-smuggling gangs using counter-terrorism tactics. Addressing international leaders, Starmer stressed the need to view people smugglers as global security threats and to collaborate on intelligence and resources to dismantle smuggling networks.
“We’ve got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes,” said Starmer. His statements were echoed by calls for urgent action, with Reform UK MP Lee Anderson criticizing Labour’s approach. Anderson described the measures as insufficient, noting, “This plan is nothing but a desperate attempt to paper over the gaping cracks.”
Scotland’s challenges come as the number of Channel crossings continues to surge. October witnessed nearly 5,500 arrivals via small boats— the highest monthly total in 2024, facilitated by favorable weather conditions. In total, 99 boats carried 5,417 people across the Channel last month, illustrating the scale of the ongoing crisis.