Migrant smugglers take to the skies to avoid Channel
INTELLIGENCE sources have warned that people smugglers are now using planes instead of boats to carry out their criminal business, circumventing the English Channel’s winter waters.
Since November there has been an increase in the number of planes taking off at night from small airfields in northern France, heading for private airstrips in England with their human cargo.
But now a little-known association is helping the authorities. The Flying Farmers Association represents farmers, foresters and landowners who own 557 private airstrips in England andwales.
It is offering an extra set of eyes and ears, with its website boasting its co-operation with both the Border Force and Special Branch.
“The challenge caused by illicit and unscheduled private charter flights landing in the UK in the small hours of the morning is greater than people suspect,” said an intelligence source. “The criminals behind these operations have done their homework and we believe they know where the majority of farmers’ and landowners’ airstrips are around the country.
“Aircraft take off from between 1am to 4am and fly low across the Channel – usually with transponders turned off – to avoid radar detection.”
The source added: “We cannot ask farmers and landowners to stay up all night, every day of the week but the co-operation of the Flying Farmers Association has made a huge difference.”
The problem has been endemic with drug smugglers for decades. But with smugglers charging up to £12,000 a person, it is proving lucrative. In 2017 a judge warned that Britain’s small airfields are “defenceless” as he jailed a pilot, Algirdas Barteska, 60, for attempting to bring a family into the UK illegally. Judge Stephen Holt said: “There cannot be people on duty at every single small airfield and that makes them vulnerable.”
Last night, Dai Whittingham, CEO of the UK Flight Safety Committee, said: “Many private airstrip owners are rightfully angered by unscheduled landings.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are not complacent and are committed to responding effectively using an intelligence-led approach as well as through working with the wider law enforcement community.”
‘Farmers with private airstrips are working with Special Branch’