Police in Devon and Cornwall have warned that people smugglers are shifting operations to the remote coves and harbours of south-west England, exploiting the region’s vast coastline to avoid tighter security in the south-east.
The warning came as a new £300,000 police patrol boat, named Neptune, was unveiled at Plymouth harbour. The 11.2-metre catamaran, funded by the UK government, has a top speed of nearly 50mph and is equipped with advanced technology, including an underwater drone and long-range infrared cameras.
Smuggling routes move westward
According to Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable James Vaughan, intelligence shows organised gangs are increasingly focusing on the south-west. While traditional smuggling routes in the English Channel remain under heavy surveillance, criminal groups are adapting by targeting longer and more dangerous sea crossings.
“The intelligence picture is quite clear,” Vaughan said. “As we strengthen controls on the east coast and in France, some of the problem is spilling down the south coast. The tactics of criminal gangs evolve, and we must stay one step ahead.”
Fighting drug gangs and illegal diving
Beyond people smuggling, Neptune will also help tackle drug trafficking, particularly shipments of cocaine dropped offshore by South American cartels for UK-based criminal groups. Police also hope to prevent illegal raids on historic wrecks and war graves along the coastline, which attract rogue divers.
Vaughan stressed the vessel will be used for a wide range of crimes, from counter-terrorism to thefts at sea. “The boat will give us much greater visibility on the water, deterring all manner of criminality,” he added.
Community vigilance remains vital
Police say community awareness remains crucial, especially as fewer fishing boats now patrol the seas due to the industry’s decline. Coastal towns, many affected by second-home ownership and reduced local activity, face increased risks from smuggling operations.
Det Supt Gary Bunn, part of a national taskforce against organised immigration crime, urged residents to remain alert: “Our coastal communities are fantastic at spotting unusual activity. We encourage them to keep a close eye on their harbours and towns.”
One of the most shocking smuggling incidents in the region saw 29 Vietnamese nationals, including 17 children, crammed onto a dilapidated yacht from France to Cornwall. Workers in Newlyn harbour raised the alarm after seeing the group bundled into a van, which was later intercepted on the M5 in Devon.
The introduction of Neptune marks a new step in securing Britain’s south-west coastline against evolving threats from people smugglers, drug traffickers, and organised criminal gangs.
