Overview
- German legislators approved an offence covering activities that facilitate smuggling to the UK, including storing boats and engines in Germany for later use from France.
- The measure is due to take effect before the end of the year and carries penalties of up to a decade in prison.
- Berlin and London say the change strengthens information sharing and operational cooperation under their joint action plan established after the Kensington Treaty.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and the National Crime Agency welcomed the law as a boost to disrupting gangs, while real-world impact will be assessed as it is applied.
- Officials highlighted recent cooperation that includes more than 950 boat and engine seizures since early 2023 and a 13 November joint arrest in Manchester, as new arrivals were recorded in Dover with 40,652 crossings so far in 2025.