Ministers should consider using Armed Forces to help UK border Officers, Former Border Force boss says

Government ministers should consider bringing in the Armed Forces to help UK Border Force officers who face being overwhelmed by the influx of suspected illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel.

As the number of migrants to reach the UK in small boats this year hit 4,300, Tony Smith, former director-general of Border Force, said it was clear the current set-up was “not fit for purpose”.

Mr Smith said the Home Officer should “stop pretending” it could stop the influx and accept the crossing would continue for the foreseeable future and put in place a new “command centre with proper reception facilities” to cope with the numbers arriving on the south coast.

The former Border Force boss said: “There doesn’t seem to be a long term masterplan which is about accepting that this is going to be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future and stop pretending that we are going to be able to stop this.

“I would be pressing for a more concentrated strategic management plan based on the fact that we have not been able to stop the boats.

“That should still be our political ambition, but the plain fact is that without an agreement with the French to take them back, we are not going to be able to do instant returns back to France.

“I would feel more comfortable if, first, we accept this is an ongoing process and, second, we have a joint agency approach that could include military, police and a full range of UK assets to support the defence of our border and management of irregular migration because I don’t think we are coping.”

The Telegraph reported a Home Office source said it did not believe the Army was needed as the Border Force were receiving the additional resources where necessary.

“I am not sure what role the army would provide that Border Force are not already providing,” said the source.