Innovative technology to tackle criminal gangs in Albania and the UK

Albania and UK Join Forces to Combat Illegal Migration

In a groundbreaking move to tackle illegal migration, Albania and the UK have joined forces to implement new technology and initiatives aimed at cracking down on criminal activity. The equipment includes a fleet of drones and number plate recognition cameras to allow Albanian systems to recognize British vehicles, which have been used by criminals seeking to avoid detection by local police.

The new drones will enable authorities to track migrants attempting to pass through the mountainous areas of Albania, which are typically difficult to police. The vehicle cameras will facilitate closer collaboration between British and Albanian police, allowing for faster searches of records and information sharing when a car is suspected of being involved in people-smuggling or other criminal behavior.

Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, Michael Tomlinson, recently visited Albania to witness the new technology firsthand and observe the country’s efforts to combat people-smuggling gangs. He also visited the UK’s New Perspectives program, which aims to provide education, job, and business opportunities for young Albanian nationals.

During a ministerial conference in Tirana, Minister Tomlinson and Albania’s Minister of Interior, Taulant Balla, discussed ways to work together more closely to address the shared challenge of illegal migration. These initiatives have already proven successful, with small boat arrivals to the UK from Albania decreasing by over 90%.

The UK government has also ramped up enforcement efforts, with a 68% increase in enforcement visits and arrests more than doubling last year. Additionally, the government has announced plans to cut the number of migrants arriving in the UK by 300,000, the largest reduction ever. The implementation of these measures, including the first flights to Rwanda in the coming weeks, aims to deter illegal migration and ensure that those who come to the UK illegally cannot stay.