Thousands of airstrips across Britain could be exploited by criminals moving illegal immigrants into the country, the National Crime Agency warns today.
Its intelligence reveals that organised crime groups have spent significant money buying or hiring aircraft to get people into Britain illegally.
“The UK has over 3,000 airstrips, presenting opportunities for criminals to use general aviation to exploit the UK border,” its 2018 assessment says. “It is highly likely that organised crime groups will continue to use general aviation in order to facilitate the illegal entry of migrants.”
There is limited security at tiny airfields in rural areas to stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people. The agency also warns that the UK’s 11,000 miles of coastline, with more than 950 ports, harbours