UKBA officials release prosecution figures

The UK Border Agency has revealed that over 2,500 frausters, traffickers and drug smugglers have been prosecuted by the the joint venture the UKBA launched last April. The findings were announced in a report by the Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas.

The announcement of the prosecutions was made during the first conference between the UKBA and the Association of Chief Police Officers. Woolas also highlighted recent strikes against gangs and criminal violence as evidence of a stronger trend by the team toward investigating serious offences.

The UKBA Immigration Crimes Teams currently employ around 300 staff across the UK with the goals of identifying and disrupting immigration related organised crime, including forgery. In the past 6 months alone over 1 million USD in cash has been siezed by officials which they claim hinders criminal activity.

Woolas went on to add that anyone wishing to come to the UK would need to do so via hard work and adherence to the rules. Woolas said immigration was similar to making a deal with the governemnt and that those who agreement the deal would be deported. Woolas highlighted immigration powers as being the key to removing foreign crminal activity from Britain as proved by the thousands made by the taskforce.

The UKBA is now aggresively responding to the concerns of local communities by collaborating with police, local authorities and government agencies to create what they call a hostile environment for law breakers.

The conference continues in Birmingham with officials discussing past cases and trialling new equipment.