Illegal migrants are arriving “every single day” in Scotland despite it being a whopping 466 miles from the English Channel.
One of the UK’s most senior crime fighters said Scotland was not immune to the global issue with migrants also flying into UK airports including Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Graham Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, spoke in Glasgow yesterday at the start of the 92nd General Assembly of Interpol where he addressed his concerns.
Interviewed by BBC Scotland, he was asked whether the ongoing Channel migrant crisis was being felt north of the border. Mr Biggar replied: “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. That includes the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is a problem which we are seeing right across the world and it is happening in Scotland too.”
His comments come as the Prime Minister, who formally opened the General Assembly, vowed to use counter-terrorism tactics to stop people-smuggling gangs “before they act”, as he announced an extra £75m to police the UK’s borders.
Sir Keir Starmer declared that people smugglers must be treated like terrorists and seen as a global security threat.
He said the “world needs to wake up to the severity” of the migration crisis.
The PM told global leaders: “We’ve got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes.”
In response Reform UK MP Lee Anderson called Labour’s first months in office “a resounding failure”.
He said “This plan is nothing but a desperate attempt to paper over the gaping cracks.
“With over 17,500 small boat crossings since Labour came to power and over 400 asylum hotels in the UK, Labour are welcoming illegal immigrants with open arms.”
The Channel migrant crisis shows no sign of slowing down as almost 5,500 asylum seekers crossed in small boats last month, shocking figures show.
Calm weather led to 5,417 people crossing in 99 boats in October – the highest monthly total so far this year.
