Security services are monitoring Albanians who cross the Channel to UK amid organised crime fears

• Albanians arriving in UK are ‘rising up security services list’ over organised crime
• They were the largest nationality arriving via Channel in first six months of 2022
• Home Secretary Priti Patel announced new fast-track removal scheme yesterday

Albanians arriving in the UK are being scrutinised by the security services amid widespread concern over involvement in organised crime.

Surging numbers from the Balkan state are ‘rising up the security services list’ of priorities, a source said.

As people traffickers exploit Britain’s porous borders, Albanians became the largest nationality arriving across the Channel in the first six months of this year – overtaking Iraqis, Iranians, Syrians and Afghans.

As people traffickers exploit Britain’s porous borders, Albanians became the largest nationality arriving across the Channel in the first six months of this year

Data showed 2,165 Albanians arrived in that period, but since the start of July the number is understood to have risen to 6,000. 

Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday announced a new fast-track removals programme aimed at Albanian arrivals. 

From next week, Albanian police will work alongside UK immigration officers in Dover.

Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday announced a new fast-track removals programme aimed at Albanian arrivals

The fast-track scheme will use existing laws – passed by a Labour government in 2002 – to treat Albanian asylum claims as ‘clearly unfounded’.

It remains unclear whether this scheme is likely to face challenges in the courts in the same way as the Rwanda asylum deal, which has been in legal limbo for months.

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