The Home Secretary announced on 20 August 2026 that nearly 800 National Crime Agency (NCA) officers are now in post on organised immigration crime, up from 376 at the start of 2025, funded within over £280 million for Border Security Command.
The government says the number of NCA officers tackling organised immigration crime has more than doubled since the start of 2025. The Home Secretary made the announcement during a visit to the NCA's headquarters in Stratford. The officers are supported by additional intelligence officers and what the government calls enhanced capabilities.
Investment for the new officers is part of the over £280 million funding for the Border Security Command.
Seizures and arrests. The government reports that officers, working with international partners, have seized 1,109 small boats or engines since the election. It says this equipment could have facilitated over 72,000 migrant crossings. An operation in Felixstowe seized 25 small boats and engines, which the government says prevented up to 2,000 potential crossings.
The NCA was involved in almost 300 arrests last year to disrupt gangs bringing migrants to the UK illegally. People smuggler related arrests involving the NCA rose by 55% in the last year. Overall organised immigration crime arrests are up 74% on the previous year. Disruptions to criminal smuggling activity, including arrests, convictions and seizures, rose by nearly 50% in the year ending March 2026.
Endangerment offence. The new endangerment offence, passed in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, has led to sentences for 10 small boat pilots. Their combined terms are nearly 20 years, handed down in two months.
Channel operations. The Prime Minister visited the joint command room at Dover's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. Officers from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the NCA and Border Security Command work there side by side. Surveillance drones capable of staying airborne for up to 16 hours are used to detect small boat activity.
The government also says nearly 70,000 illegal migrants have been removed from the UK since the election, and that joint work with France has stopped over 46,000 attempted Channel crossings.
The figures are the government's own, as published in its announcement.
Sources
- Record number of NCA officers deployed to tackle people smugglers, GOV.UK, 20 August 2026