Albanian police presence in Kent aims to deter migrants

According to Home Office figures published today, the number of people detected arriving by small boats has more than doubled from nearly 6000 in the first half of 2021 to over 12,700 in the same six month period in 2022.

Of those who arrived between January and June this year, over half were nationals from just 3 countries – Albanians, Afghans, and Iranians

Since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan just over a year ago, the number of Afghans arriving in the UK in small boats has increased almost ten-fold from 247 in the first half of 2021, to 2,066 in the first half of this year.

The number of Albanians arriving on small boats has increased almost a hundred-fold: Between January and June last year just 23 were detected, but in the same period this year, 2,165 Albanians arrived by small boat.

Hence today’s deal between the British and Albanian governments to fast-track asylum applications from Albanians.